| International humanitarian law Section explaining international humanitarian law (IHL), its role in the protection of victims of war and its relationship with the work of the ICRC. The main treaties are the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols 24-4-2009 The 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions
On August 12 1949, the four Geneva Conventions, the cornerstone of international humanitarian law, were adopted. The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols embody the most important rules limiting the barbarity of war. Sixty years on, these treaties continue to provide the best available framework for protecting civilians and those no longer participating in combat.(Humanitarian law) |
17-11-2009 Cartagena Summit: renewed commitment to end suffering caused by mines
At the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World, States party to the Mine Ban Convention promised to clear mined areas and destroy all their stocks of mines within five years. ICRC vice-president Christine Beerli welcomed these moves but reminded the summit that “the more difficult task of turning words into tangible benefits for victims remains.(Humanitarian law) |
2-2-2010 International Review of the Red Cross – Displacement
Whether within or across borders, the displacement of persons remains a pressing humanitarian concern. This issue aims to give a comprehensive picture of the phenomenon of displacement: its causes, its scale, and the challenges faced by the people affected. The Review also examines the role of normative frameworks in protecting displaced persons and migrants.(Humanitarian law) |
2-6-2009 Clarifying the notion of direct participation in hostilities
International humanitarian law hinges on the principle of the distinction between combatants and civilians. The latter are entitled to full protection from attack unless they “directly participate in hostilities". Following six years of expert discussions and research, the ICRC is publishing interpretive guidance that clarifies the meaning and consequences of direct participation in hostilities under humanitarian law.
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7-5-2009 International humanitarian law: a universal code - film
This film looks at the poor security conditions frequently confronting the civilian population, the fact that people often have to flee their homes, hostage-taking, the dangers posed by cluster munitions, and the work of preventing and punishing war crimes. It tells us the basic rules of the law and reminds us that respecting them is everyone's responsibility. (Humanitarian law) |
28-7-2008 The emblems: in the service of conflict and disaster victims
The red cross, red crescent and red crystal emblems are visible symbols of the protection afforded to war victims under the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. They also stand for the neutrality of those who bear them and indicate membership of the Movement. See also the photo gallery.(Humanitarian law) |
30-10-2008  Humanitarian Actors – Commitment to the protection of IDPs
Address by Angelo Gnaedinger, Director-General, International Committee of the Red Cross, Ten years of Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, Achievements and Future Challenges, Oslo, Conference 16-17 October 2008(Humanitarian law) |
26-3-2009
ICRC Advisory services - latest publications
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26-10-2009
Other documents of interest
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International Review of the Red Cross 31-3-2009 Typology of armed conflicts in international humanitarian law: legal concepts and actual situations
International humanitarian law does not contain precise enough criteria to determine which situations fall within its material field of application, as the reality of armed conflict is more complex than the categories anticipated by IHL. This article sets out to show how these categories can be interpreted in light of recent international legal developments, and examines various controversial cases of application.Sylvain Vité (Info resources\International Review\2009 - No. 873) |
Official Statement 23-4-2005 Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Refugee Law – Three Pillars
International humanitarian law, refugee law and human rights law are complementary bodies of law that share a common goal, the protection of the lives, health and dignity of persons. They form a complex network of complementary protections and it is essential that we understand how they interact. Statement at the International Association of Refugee Law Judges world conference, Stockholm, 21-23 April 2005, by Emanuela-Chiara Gillard, ICRC Legal Adviser.(Humanitarian law\Refugees and IDPs) |
26-12-2007 The interplay between international humanitarian law and international
human rights law in situations of armed conflict
International human rights law and international humanitarian law are traditionally two distinct branches of law, one dealing with the protection of persons from abusive power, the other with the conduct of parties to an armed conflict. Yet, developments in international and national jurisprudence and practice have led to the recognition that these two bodies of law not only share a common humanist ideal of dignity and integrity but overlap substantially in practice.(Humanitarian law) |
News release 16-2-2010 Philippines: ICRC to consolidate efforts in 2010
ICRC (Manila) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today renewed its commitment to the Philippines, with plans to increase work in jails and prisons, boost awareness of international humanitarian law (IHL) and continue its assistance and protection activities across the country in 2010.(News) |
News release 27-1-2010 Azerbaijan: enhancing protection of cultural property
Geneva/Baku (ICRC) – Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are holding a round table today on the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict.(News) |
News release 26-1-2010 Afghanistan: war’s heavy toll on civilians
Kabul/Geneva (ICRC) – In the run-up to the international conference on Afghanistan to be held on 28 January in London, concern about rising civilian casualties remains high, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today.(News) |
News release 15-12-2009 Afghanistan: first ICRC visit to detainees in Taliban custody
Kabul/Geneva (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has carried out two visits to three members of the Afghan security forces detained by the Taliban in Badghis province, north-western Afghanistan.(News) |
News release 11-12-2009 Russian Federation: experts discuss new weapons and legal developments
Moscow (ICRC) – Around 70 experts will attend today's round table discussion on "New Types of Weapons and Development in International Humanitarian Law" organized jointly by the Russian Academy of Science's Institute of World Economy and International Relations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). (News) |
News release 4-12-2009 Cartagena Summit: renewed commitment to end suffering caused by mines
Cartagena/Geneva (ICRC) – At the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World, the States party to the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-personnel Mines (Mine Ban Convention) have renewed their commitment to end the suffering caused by these weapons by adopting a five-year action plan to clear mined areas, assist mine victims and destroy all remaining stockpiles.(News) |
News release 18-11-2009 Iraq/Kuwait: high-level meeting to clarify fate of people missing since 1990-1991 Gulf War
Baghdad/Kuwait/Geneva (ICRC) – In an effort to clarify the fate of people missing in connection with the 1990-1991 Gulf War, representatives from Iraq, Kuwait and the Coalition (the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Saudi Arabia) are meeting in Kuwait on 18 November for the 32nd session of the Tripartite Commission, under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).(News) |
News release 17-11-2009 Universal Children's Day: put a stop to crimes against children in war
Geneva (ICRC) – Ahead of Universal Children's Day on 20 November, and 20 years after the signing of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is urging conflict parties to fully respect existing international humanitarian and human rights law in order to enhance protection for the estimated one billion children affected by armed conflict worldwide.(News) |
News release 30-10-2009 Pakistan: targeting civilians is the ultimate denial of humanitarian law
Islamabad/Geneva (ICRC) – In the wake of Wednesday's bombing in Peshawar – the latest and bloodiest in a string of attacks targeting civilians – the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is alarmed at the severe and intensifying impact of violence on Pakistan's civilian population.(News) |
News release 19-10-2009 ICRC and IPU urge lawmakers to ensure greater respect for rules of war
Geneva – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) are calling on parliamentarians and legislators around the world to do more to ensure that international humanitarian law (IHL) is both implemented and respected.(News) |
News release 8-10-2009 Yemen: more must be done to ensure aid gets through
Geneva/Sana'a (ICRC) – The conflict in northern Yemen is increasingly putting civilian lives at risk, leaving tens of thousands without vital aid and forcing many more to flee conflict areas. Unless more is done to protect civilians and ensure that they can receive life-saving aid, the situation will worsen further, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today.(News) |
News release 2-10-2009 Australia: launch of new book on wars of dignity in the Pacific
Sydney (ICRC) – A new book, Under the Protection of the Palm: Wars of Dignity in the Pacific, reveals that in Tuvalu killing women and children was considered shameful, that in the Solomon Islands captive warriors were treated with respect and in Samoa, fighters differentiated themselves from civilians by wearing white hats.(News) |
News release 3-8-2009 Eritrea: authorities terminate ICRC role in repatriations of Ethiopians
Geneva (ICRC) – The Eritrean authorities have informed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that it will no longer be involved in any repatriation of Ethiopians from the country. According to the authorities, this decision was motivated by the unilateral cancellation of two repatriation operations in late 2008 and early 2009 by Ethiopia.(News) |
News release 26-6-2009 Landmines and explosive remnants of war: delivering on the promises to victims
Geneva/Oslo (ICRC) - Experts from countries worldwide affected by mines and explosive remnants of war met in Oslo, Norway, from 23 – 25 June to discuss how to improve the quality of life of victims of landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war in their countries.(News) |
News release 14-5-2009 Somalia: civilians trapped amid fighting in Mogadishu
Nairobi/Geneva (ICRC) – The ongoing armed clashes in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, have left dozens of people dead. Hundreds have been wounded and admitted to hospitals and other medical facilities in the past few days.
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News release 12-5-2009 Chad: ICRC urges respect for international humanitarian law
N'Djamena/Geneva (ICRC) – International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff have been mobilized to bring aid to civilian and military victims of the violent clashes that over the past few days have pitted government troops against fighters of the Union of Resistance Forces (UFR) in eastern Chad.(News) |
News release 12-5-2009 Sri Lanka: fighting hinders further ICRC evacuations of severely wounded people
Colombo / Geneva (ICRC) – Heavy fighting made it impossible today for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to evacuate wounded and sick people and their accompanying relatives from the combat area in north-eastern Sri Lanka, and to deliver 25 metric tonnes of food for thousands of civilians stranded there.(News) |
News release 6-5-2009 Afghanistan: ICRC confirms dozens killed in air strikes
Kabul/Geneva (ICRC) – Dozens of people, including women and children, were killed in air strikes on villages in Farah province on the evening of 4 May, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today.(News) |
News release 15-4-2009 Colombia: civilians continue to pay a heavy price for the conflict
Bogotá / Geneva (ICRC) – The armed conflict in Colombia continues to take a heavy toll on tens of thousands of civilians enduring death threats, direct attacks or the threat of forced recruitment, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned today.(News) |
News release 3-4-2009 Landmines and cluster munitions: a safer future within reach
Geneva (ICRC) – As the world marks the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action on 4 April, millions of civilians in more than 70 countries live their lives in fear of weapons that keep on killing long after conflicts have ended, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today.(News) |
News release 5-3-2009 Iraq: ICRC helps bomb victims following blast near Hilla
Baghdad (ICRC) – In response to a bomb attack near the city of Hilla this morning, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) urgently delivered medical supplies to Al Hashimiya General Hospital, in Babil governorate, which received the bulk of the injured.(News) |
News release 9-1-2009 Gaza: ICRC medics work on
Geneva/Jerusalem/Tel Aviv (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is maintaining most of its humanitarian activities in Gaza while trying to clarify the circumstances under which one of its convoys came under fire on 8 January.(News) |
Operational update 5-1-2009 Gaza: wounded people dying while waiting for ambulances
As the number of casualties continues to rise in the Gaza Strip, the ICRC is focusing on arranging safe passage for Palestine Red Crescent ambulances, which collect the wounded and transport them to hospitals.(News) |
| 25-3-2004
See also (Humanitarian law) |
25-3-2004 Promotion of IHL
with armed forces, police, students,... (Humanitarian law) |
25-3-2004 Fact sheets
Issued by the ICRC's Advisory Service(Humanitarian law) |
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