Exploring IHL in action with Dr Helen Durham
Highlights from this speech by Dr Helen Durham, ICRC Director of International Law and Policy, delve into when International Humanitarian Law works, through real stories, research and experiences. …
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Mongolia: Training on IHL for armed forces and Red Cross staff
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) organized training workshops on international humanitarian law (IHL), also known as law of armed conflict, for armed forces personnel of different …
Myanmar: Food to fuel families in Rakhine
“Today’s meal is fish curry. It is one of my youngest son’s favourite dishes.” – Shon CC BY-NC-ND / ICRC / Hla Yamin Eain “I am cooking prawns with banana stems. It is simple to cook and takes just a …
Never again: Why the ICRC wants nuclear weapons eliminated and how the nuclear ban treaty can help the world get there
A few seconds was all it took for an atomic bomb to wipe out thousands of lives in Hiroshima, Japan in 1945. The ICRC's Dr Marcel Junod was the first foreign doctor to reach Hiroshima to treat some …
Ukraine: Humanitarian situation deteriorates as major cities bear the brunt of heavy fighting
22-06-2022 Geneva (ICRC) – The humanitarian situation of millions of civilians is particularly concerning in densely populated areas affected by the ongoing hostilities. The impact of the fighting is …
Let us move towards a world without nuclear weapons
Joint Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) - First Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on …
"Now, more than ever, it is critical that States take bold steps to respect IHL and to mitigate the harm to civilians caught in conflict."
Speech given by Mr Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross on the Economic and Social Council's Humanitarian Affairs Segment of the United Nations. 22 June 2022, New …
Helping Palestinian farmers maintain a safe olive tree cycle
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) distributed thousands of bio-traps to help Palestinian farmers in several Palestinian villages …
Red Cross and Red Crescent leaders commit to accelerate efforts to tackle rising humanitarian challenges
23-06-2022 Geneva, 23 June 2022 - The Council of delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement concluded today in Geneva with commitments from Red Cross and Red Crescent leaders …
Afghanistan: Earthquake kills more than 1,000, deepening a humanitarian emergency
A devastating earthquake in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Paktika on 22 June has claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people and injured even more. Following the deadly quake, the Afghan Red …
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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.