Urban warfare and violence
It is heartbreaking to watch a city you love die. Yet that is exactly what happens when armed conflicts are fought in the middle of cities, endangering the lives of civilians and the infrastructure …
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Legal review of weapons
International humanitarian law limits both the choice of weapons and the means and methods of warfare. So when developing or acquiring new weapons, states should determine whether they comply with …
Mirjana Spoljaric Egger
President of the ICRC Mirjana Spoljaric is president of the ICRC since October 2022. Under her leadership, the ICRC carries its unique mandate to protect lives and dignity and to relieve people’s …
Our history
Since our creation in 1863, we have worked to help, protect and provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by armed conflict and other violence. Feature article 160 years on the side of …
Frequently asked questions about our work
Your questions answered This hub brings together frequently asked questions about our work, organized by both geographic region and key thematic areas such as international humanitarian law, health …
The Assembly
This is the team that leads the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Responsibilities and tasks The Assembly is our supreme governing body. It oversees the organisation and ensures we …
The Office of the President
The Office of the President is made up of our president, Mirjana Spoljaric, and vice-president, Gilles Carbonnier. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger President of the ICRC Mirjana Spoljaric Egger has served as …
The Assembly Council
The Assembly Council supports the Assembly in its tasks and ensures the smooth functioning of the ICRC, communicating regularly with the Directorate. Responsibilities and tasks The Assembly Council …
Compliance with IHL
Working with states and parties to conflict to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law is at the core of our mandate under the Geneva Conventions. IHL in action IHL in action: Respect …
Human rights law
International humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law are two distinct but complementary bodies of law. They are both concerned with the protection of life, health and dignity. IHL …
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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.