Guidelines, intended to support States in the implementation of a system for the protection of cultural property, addressing the definition of cultural property; give an overview of the instruments …
International humanitarian law (IHL) is a set of rules which seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict. It restricts the means and methods of warfare permitted to combatants and protects those …
The ICRC acts as the guardian of international humanitarian law, a complex role that is closely connected with its own foundation and was later formally entrusted to it by the international …
Extract from "International Humanitarian Law: An introduction", Henry Dunant Institute, Geneva/Paul Haupt Publishers, Bern, 1993. Updated by the author in November 1998. Dr Hans-Peter Gasser, …
International Symposium on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, Geneva, 19-21 October 1995. Paper presented by Dr Hans-Peter Gasser, Senior Legal Adviser, International …
The Fundamental Principles are the result of a century of experience. Proclaimed in Vienna in 1965, they bond together the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee …
These are the six governing bodies that oversee the ICRC’s operations Our governance and leadership The Assembly is the highest governing body of the ICRC: it is responsible for oversight of the …
The International Conference is a unique forum bringing together the world’s largest humanitarian network and nearly every government. It is a major event on the humanitarian calendar and the leading …
A clear distinction between armed forces and civilians is a key element of international humanitarian law. In contemporary conflict, however, the proximity of civilians to military operations and …
Customary international humanitarian law (IHL) consists of rules that come from "a general practice accepted as law" and exist independent of treaty law. Customary IHL is of crucial importance in …
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Created in 1863, the ICRC library, alongside the ICRC archives, provides an indispensable documentary reference on the organization itself and international humanitarian law.
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 international humanitarian law consists of rules that come from "a general practice accepted as law" and that exist independent of treaty law.
