International Rules and Standards for Policing
This brochure intended for audiences involved in law-enforcement functions summarizes the main points of the manual entitled "To Serve and to Protect". It addresses the principles and rules of human …
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The Roots of Behaviour in War: A Survey of the Literature
The phenomenon of war, the place it has in the culture of mankind and the behaviour of combatants in war are all closely examined in this study commissioned by the ICRC. Through this bibliographical …
The Missing and their Families: Documents of Reference
This publication contains the key documents, reports, summaries and outcomes of the International Conference of Governmental and Non-Governmental Experts and the 28th International Conference of the …
Base policies on IHL and leave political controversies outside humanitarian concerns
Statement to Opening Session of the United Nations Economic and Social Council – Humanitarian Affairs Segment, 9 June 2020 Secretary-General, Chair, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, Thank you …
Africa CDC and ICRC discuss COVID-19 prevention in places of detention
The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed health care systems all over Africa and the world. Though African governments have taken measures to contain or fight the virus in the communities, putting in …
Surgery for Victims of War
This handbook summarizes the experience of leading practitioners in the field of war surgery and is intended to help military and civilian surgical teams treat people wounded in armed conflicts. It …
The Basics of International Humanitarian Law
What is international humanitarian law (IHL)? Why is it important? How and who does it protect? Simple and concise answers to these and other related questions are given in this leaflet, including a …
Webinar: Religions, health issues and management of the dead with Alkhairaat University
On 14 May 2020, more than 40 lecturers from Alkhairaat University and State Institute of Islamic Studies Datokarama, in Palu, participated in a webinar on COVID-19: Religions, Health Issues and …
Tip Sheet on the Responsible Use of Online Conferencing Tools
Recent changes to working conditions have increased the use of online conferencing tools throughout the humanitarian sector. These conferencing technologies are invaluable when face-to-face meetings …
Supporting and strengthening work with relatives of missing persons
This report lays out the extensive discussions and conclusions of a workshop co-organised in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2019 by the ICRC and the Grupo de Acción Comunitaria (GAC). It …
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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.