National implementation of IHL: Documentation
States party to international humanitarian law treaties must take certain legal and administrative measures to comply with the obligations they have undertaken. This section deals with various topics …
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IHL and Islamic Law
The interplay between international humanitarian law (IHL) and Islamic law of war Islamic law of war In our engagement with communities affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence, …
ICRC Library
Created in 1863, the ICRC’s library represents alongside the ICRC’s archives the essential documentary reference on our organization and international humanitarian law. Our main resources ICRC …
The members of the International Committee of the Red Cross
Mirjana Spoljaric Egger President Prior to taking up the Presidency of the ICRC in October 2022, Ms. Spoljaric served as the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator of the …
Health
Everybody has a right to health care – even in war. We don’t take sides, and we will always uphold our principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence in the course of our work. We …
Helping detainees
Every detainee deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness, regardless of the reason for their arrest and detention. Protecting and assisting people deprived of their liberty Ensuring respect …
Criminal repression of IHL violations
When violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) occur, states are under an obligation to prosecute alleged offenders. Domestic courts therefore play an important role in enforcing IHL and …
The Geneva Conventions and their Commentaries
The 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are international treaties that contain the most important rules limiting the barbarity of war. They protect people who do not take part in …
Protected persons: Children
Under international humanitarian law, children affected by armed conflict are entitled to special respect and protection. Highlight Children should be at school, not at war From our archives: …
Autonomous weapons
Autonomous weapons are not a work of science fiction from a distant dystopian future. They are an immediate cause of humanitarian concern and demand an urgent, international political response. …
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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.