International Humanitarian Law
An overview of international humanitarian law, in A2 poster format, presenting the key principles and articles of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional …
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Planting hope: In Panama, a vivarium is helping reforest the lives of prison inmates
The vivarium started production in November 2016, with the approval of the penitentiary system authorities and the police, who are now sponsors of the initiative. It also receives support from the …
Mali: Access to health-care services and water the focus in 2017
In 2017, we continued to provide humanitarian assistance to the many people affected by the violence in Mali, in particular in the north of the country, and stepped up our efforts to help an …
Assistance to people displaced in relation to the conflict in Ukraine in 2017
Many people had to flee their homes in connection with the conflict in Ukraine. The ICRC, in cooperation with local Red Cross branches and local authorities, is carrying out assistance programmes to …
False allegations: ICRC condemns video showing cash in trunks
A video showing the illegitimate use of the ICRC emblem on storage trunks holding cash has popped up on social media periodically over the last two years, including in early 2018. We want the …
Philippines: Discussions on the relevance of Islamic Law and IHL in addressing challenges in armed conflict
To encourage further support in upholding the protection of civilians and human dignity during times of armed conflict in the Philippines, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) …
Somalia: Preventive care using radio
Mogadishu’s skyline as seen from the top of a building in Waberi area along Maka Al-Mukarama road. The airwaves are filled with over 20 local radio stations. CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / Abdikarim Mohamed …
Central African Republic: Violence Fuels “Neglected Humanitarian Tragedy,” with Half of Population in Need of Aid
16-01-2018 Bangui/Geneva (ICRC) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warns that humanitarian conditions in the Central African Republic (CAR) are rapidly deteriorating, with half of …
Confidentiality Q&A
In a social media age when each of us can denounce violations, ICRC's confidential approach saves lives. The ICRC works on the ground in conflict zones. We provide people caught up in the fighting …
Rakhine: Tens of thousands helped despite challenges
Coordinated attacks took place in Rakhine State of Myanmar in August 2017, leading to violence that continued for months. The state, which is the poorest in Myanmar, witnessed large-scale destruction …
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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.