Syria: Expanding our humanitarian action
The ICRC is working closely with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to distribute food and other aid across Syria. We do so strictly on the basis of need, regardless of the political, ethnic or religious …
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Senior military officers to discuss greater respect for law of war
Senior military officers from 57 countries will meet in Xi’an, China next week for a workshop on the international rules governing military operations, jointly hosted by the ICRC and the People's …
Debate on "Health care and violence: the need for effective protection" at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly
Attacks on health-care providers and their patients are frequent in modern conflict despite being expressly forbidden under the Geneva Conventions of 1949. States play a key role in addressing the …
Reconstructing Gaza in a crisis situation: Challenges and needs
"After more than 50 days of conflict, there are lots of challenges ahead", explains Christian Cardon, who heads our office in Gaza. People still don't have access to basic essential services: water, …
Nepal: Fifty South Asians share perspectives on international humanitarian law
18-09-2014 Kathmandu (ICRC) – Nepal will host the 25th South Asia Teaching Session (SATS) on international humanitarian law (IHL), organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in …
Commemorating Jean Pictet by keeping his legacy alive
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jean Pictet, the ICRC and the Committee for the Jean Pictet Competition (CCJP) paid tribute to Pictet’s legacy and achievements regarding the …
South Sudan: Bringing back the hope
Lydia and her family, one of thousands that have been forced to flee their homes in South Sudan, struggle to survive on a daily basis with the help of the ICRC. Her story is one of hardship and …
Libya: ICRC and Libyan Red Crescent deliver urgent medical aid
16-09-2014 Urgently needed medical supplies today reached Al-Zahra Hospital in Warshefana, on the outskirts of Tripoli, in an operation carried out by the ICRC in cooperation with the Libyan Red …
Azerbaijan: Missing persons must not be forgotten
15-09-2014 On the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared, 30 August, the ICRC called on the international community to show greater awareness of the tragedy of missing persons and their …
Philippines: Displaced children in Zamboanga immunized
15-09-2014 Manila (ICRC) – Thousands of young children from displaced families in Zamboanga City will be immunized against measles, rubella and polio from September to October, with the aid of the …
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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.