Universal jurisdiction over war crimes – Factsheet
Based on the notion that certain crimes are so grave that they affect the international community as a whole, the principle of universal jurisdiction, which entitles a State to prosecute offenders …
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1993 Chemical Weapons Convention
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction belongs to the category of instruments of international law that …
Civil defence in international humanitarian law – Factsheet
Civil defence reflects the desire of those who made international humanitarian law to mitigate the loss, damage and suffering inflicted on civilians as a result of the dramatic development of the …
ICRC and IFRC adopt the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations
The Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations is now opened for signature by all humanitarian organizations, following its adoption by the International Committee of the Red …
Afghanistan: Mohammad Azam - A story of tragedy and hope
Mohammad Azam's childhood was joyful and simple. He lived with his parents, brother and two sisters in Zahir Abad high in the mountains of Faizabad, Badakhshan province. Mohammad and his friends …
Sri Lanka: Taking on life with needle and thread
Armed with a needle and thread, Suntharalingam Saraswathi is ready to take on the world. Not long ago, her world was full of chaos. Life was hard for her family during the 30-year conflict. Her …
Indonesia: Exploring the promotion and protection of human dignity in the Dayak culture
Pontianak – Promoting and protecting human dignity is likely the most universal of values as it has always been at the core of various international norms. It can also be found in various customs of …
Sri Lanka: Exploring contemporary challenges to international humanitarian law
The Geneva Conventions enjoy universal acceptance, even seven decades after their adoption. Their integration into domestic law and military doctrine continues to prevent and minimize the human cost …
1977 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions of 1949
International humanitarian law is the set of rules which, in times of war, protect those who are not, or no longer, taking an active part in hostilities, and limit the choice of methods and means …
Israel and the occupied territories: People in Gaza and Israel need an urgent respite from the fighting
A statement in the name of Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC Near and Middle East Director. "People in Gaza and Israel urgently need respite from non-stop hostilities, as we enter the second week of airstrikes …
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ICRC library
Created in 1863, the ICRC library, alongside the ICRC archives, provides an indispensable documentary reference on the organization itself and international humanitarian law.
IHL treaties
International humanitarian law is based on a number of treaties, in particular the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols, and a series of other instruments.
Customary IHL
Customary international humanitarian law consists of rules that come from "a general practice accepted as law" and that exist independent of treaty law.