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News Section Promoting humanitarian law to armed forces, police and other weapon bearers Information for defence and military staff on training in international humanitarian law for the armed, police and security forces. Access to specific sections on humanitarian law and weapons.
©ICRC/B. Heger/ref. ke-e-00077
Disseminating IHL principles, Nairobi, 2004
Geneva, 6-17 August 2007
Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations (SWIRMO) Armed forces must respect international humanitarian law (IHL) - protecting those who do not take part in the fighting (civilians) and those who can no longer take part (wounded and sick combatants and anyone who is captured) - and apply it in all circumstances. The ICRC helps governments meet their responsibilities in this respect by, among other things, making specialists available to support their training programmes on the law of armed conflict. It extends this type of support to training for police services and other security forces, which are called on to intervene in situations where civilians can be at particular risk. See also:  Key document8-6-2007 Integrating the lawThis booklet draws together the lessons learned by the ICRC over the past few decades and aims to provide authorities and the most senior personnel among arms carriers with an overview of what we have come to call the “integration” process. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Prevention) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 30-9-2004 Contemporary challenges in the civil-military relationship: Complementarity or incompatibility?The post Cold War period has witnessed an increasing "militarization" of humanitarian action. Today armed forces are deployed on peace-keeping missions and mandated to carry out humanitarian operations. The distinction between humanitarian, political and military action is thus increasingly blurred. The article sets out to analyse the ICRC's views on this civil-military relationship in contemporary humanitarian environment. (Info resources\International Review\2004 - No. 855) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 31-5-2003 Armed Forces: Integration of IHL Integration may be described as the translation of IHL rules into concrete mechanisms or measures for the respect of its principles, specially protected persons and objects as well as the adoption of necessary means to this end. It must necessarily and constantly address doctrine, teaching & education, as well as training & equipment issues. (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Training courses22-3-2007 Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations (SWIRMO) Geneva, 6-17 August 2007 ICRC and Swiss Army are hosting a military course on law of armed conflict. Senior officers from 60 countries around the world have been invited to a two-week workshop which seeks to strengthen efforts to integrate the law of armed conflict into military doctrine and operating procedures.(ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Event FAQ9-10-2007 International humanitarian law and private military/security companiesPrivate military and security companies working in armed conflict situations are also obliged to respect the provisions of IHL. Basic facts on the issue and links to expert opinion. (Info resources\Frequently asked questions) FAQ Feature31-3-2008 Nigeria: training the trainers to teach IHLLivinus Jatto is a former soldier who now works for the ICRC teaching officers in the Nigerian army about the importance of international humanitarian law. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Nigeria) Feature 15-2-2008 Liberia's new army smartens up on the laws of warAs Liberia recovers from years of bloody conflict, a new army is taking shape. The ICRC is involved in the training process, to help ensure that humanitarian rules form part of the instruction. The ICRC's Stephanie Bouaziz spoke to a Liberian instructor. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Liberia) Feature Includes Photo 28-1-2007 Sierra Leone: providing information to soldiers about IHL and the ICRC Sgt Kamara points out that his past misconceptions about the ICRC have changed in a positive way, after he attended a dissemination session with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces' (RSLAF) first battalion in the Kailahun district, eastern Sierra Leone. (The ICRC worldwide\Africa\Sierra Leone) Feature 23-5-2006 Privatisation of WarThe outsourcing of military tasks (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Feature 13-12-2005 Mexico: teaching humanitarian law in military exercises To ensure that its troops engaged in combat abide by the rules of international humanitarian law, the Mexican army has designed a practical training course that exposes soldiers to situations in which those rules apply. (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Feature 11-8-2005 War games: virtual warfare training for the military To achieve their objectives, members of the armed forces must learn to take the right decisions in combat. But these decisions have an impact on people’s lives and their dignity, affecting both combatants and non-combatants. The Salvadorian army has developed a computer simulation system that helps train officers to take decisions that comply with international humanitarian law. (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Feature ICRC film31-12-2003 Child soldiers: the law says no!"This film is trying to show now that all over the world there should be no child soldiers. I hope that in any country where there is a war, as long as they watch this film they have seen how we the children were destroyed." Tamba, former child soldier. Tamba and other former child soldiers promote the message that children should not be recruited into armed forces or armed groups, nor take part in hostilities. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\Protection) ICRC film 31-12-1999 Fighting by the rulesThis informative film examines the development of the law of armed conflict and considers its relationship with the whole history of war in the 20th Century. Drawing on a wealth of historical facts for illustration, it demonstrates how humanitarian law is wholly compatible with the principles of military necessity. Aimed primarily at military audiences, Fighting by the rules emphasizes how essential it is for officers to incorporate the fundamental principles of the law of armed conflict into procedures and training programmes in armed forces throughout the world.
Warning: this video is mainly intended for military officers attending an ICRC training course on the law of armed conflict. It contains explicit material not suitable for viewing by minors or persons of a sensitive disposition. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Films\Humanitarian law) ICRC film ICRC Publication11-4-2008 Violence and the use of forceThe line separating disturbances and tensions from armed conflict can sometimes be blurred and the only way to categorize specific situations is by examining each individual case. The intensity of violence is the key determining factor. This categorisation has direct consequences for the armed forces and civil authorities as it does for the victims of the violence. It determines which rules apply and the protection they provide is established in greater or lesser detail according to the legal situation. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Prevention) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 31-7-2004 Children in war information kit The kit describes those activities carried out by the ICRC to restore family links, provide care and protect unaccompanied children and child soldiers, among others. As both a work tool and a source of information, it covers the legal protection of children in situations of armed conflict and contains a summary of those provisions of international humanitarian law that apply specifically to children. (All documents in pdf format) (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 31-12-2002 Human rights and humanitarian law in professional policing concepts: highlights from the book "To serve and to protect" This brochure intended for audiences involved in law-enforcement functions summarizes the main points of the manual entitled To serve and to protect. It addresses the principles and rules of human rights and humanitarian law relevant to professional law enforcement in democratic contexts. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Prevention) ICRC publication Includes PDF 31-12-2002 To serve and protect: guide for police conduct and behaviourThis pocket-sized booklet adopts a simple pictorial format and aims to raise awareness as to the duties, responsibilities and powers of police and security officials in their daily law-enforcement practices. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Prevention) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 31-12-1998 To serve and to protectThis manual describes the rules of human rights and humanitarian law relevant to professional law enforcement practice in situations ranging from peace to international armed conflict. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Prevention) ICRC Publication Includes PDF 31-12-1997 Anti-personnel Landmines. Friend or foe ? A study of the military use and effectiveness of anti-personnel minesThis study examines the military case for continued use of anti-personnel landmines. Mines employed in conflicts since 1940, whether by professional armies, by insurgents or in counter-insurgency operations, have rarely been used in conformity with international law, and have little or no effect on the outcome of hostilities. These conclusions were unanimously endorsed by senior military commanders from various countries at a meeting on the subject held in Geneva in February 1996. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Humanitarian law) ICRC publication Includes PDF 31-12-1993 Behaviour in combat: code of conduct for combatants. First aidCombatants are often confronted with unforeseen situations in which they must nevertheless comply with the rules of international humanitarian law. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Prevention) ICRC publication 31-12-1989 Handbook on the law of war for armed forcesSenior officers can use this handbook as a code of conduct to instruct their troops and give orders in conformity with the law of war, thereby respecting the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Prevention) ICRC publication 31-12-1987 Essentials of the law of warAn offprint from the Handbook on the law of war for armed forces (see above), this brochure intended for officers contains a summary of the rules of conduct in action and a programme for military instruction. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Prevention) ICRC publication 31-12-1985 Behaviour in combat: rules for behaviour in combatThese booklets are pocket-sized so that combatants can carry them along and consult the rules on the spot, thus enabling them to act advisedly and to avoid making mistakes which might have very serious consequences. (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Prevention) ICRC publication International Review of the Red Cross31-3-2005 The policy context of torture: A social-psychological analysisActs of torture are conceptualized as crimes of obedience, which are inevitably linked to crimes at higher levels of the hierarchy, where orders are issued, policy is formulated, and the atmosphere conducive to acts of torture is created. (Info resources\International Review\2005 - No. 857) International Review of the Red Cross Includes PDF 31-3-2001 The Chinese humanitarian heritage and the dissemination of and education in international humanitarian law in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Info resources\International Review\2001 - No. 841) International Review of the Red Cross 31-12-2000 International humanitarian law training for multinational peace support operations - lessons from experience(Info resources\International Review\2000 - No. 840) International Review of the Red Cross 30-9-2000 Humanitarian issues and agencies as triggers for international military action(Info resources\International Review\2000 - No. 839) International Review of the Red Cross International Review of the Red Cross 31-12-1998 Books and reviews: "To serve and to protect: Human rights and humanitarian law for police and security forces"(Info resources\International Review\1998 - No. 325) International Review of the Red Cross 31-8-1997 The International Institute of Humanitarian Law (San Remo) and its international military courses on the law of armed conflict(Info resources\International Review\1997 - No. 319) International Review of the Red Cross 31-8-1997 Training the armed forces to respect international humanitarian law:The perspective of the ICRC Delegate to the Armed and Security Forces of South Asia(Info resources\International Review\1997 - No. 319) International Review of the Red Cross 30-4-1996 Guidelines for Military Manuals and Instructions on the Protection of the Environment in Times of Armed ConflictFollow-up to the International Conference for the Protection of War Victims, 1993. The guidelines are a summary of the existing applicable international rules which must be known and respected by members of the armed forces. (Info resources\International Review\1996 - No. 311) International Review of the Red Cross International Review of the Red Cross Interview17-4-2008 Getting private military and security companies to respect the lawAs more military and security tasks are “outsourced” to private firms, questions arise as to what rules govern their behaviour in conflict situations. ICRC legal adviser Cordula Droege comments on an initiative by the Swiss government to promote respect for international humanitarian law and propose some ways of dealing with the issue. (Humanitarian law\Other issues\Privatisation of war) Interview Includes Photo 27-11-2006 Private military/security companies "acknowledge humanitarian law obligations"Melker Mabeck coordinates the ICRC's efforts to promote respect for international humanitarian law by private military and security firms working in conflict zones. He talks about the contacts made with the companies and the states that hire them. (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Interview 17-2-2003 Armed forces, police and security forces Video documents on dissemination and training activities to armed and police/security forces (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Interview Includes Video Official Statement5-11-2007 Comprehensive Review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspectsUnited Nations, General Assembly, 62nd session, Fourth Committee, Item 34 of the agenda, Statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New York, 5 Novembre 2007 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations\62nd General Assembly) Official Statement 21-8-2007 SWIRMO: vital importance of respect for the laws of warClosing speech by Brig Gen Erwin Dahinden, head of International Relations (Defence), Swiss Armed Forces. SWIRMO – Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations – , 17 August 2007. (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Official Statement 21-8-2007 Armed forces and IHL: a "necessary dialogue between law and force"The ICRC's director of communication, Yves Daccord, says work is needed to mould humanitarian law into the bricks and mortar of military doctrine, education and training. He was speaking at the close of a major workshop in Geneva, grouping senior officers from 60 countries, co-organised with the Swiss army. SWIRMO – Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations – Geneva, 6-17 August 2007 (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Official Statement 6-8-2007 Workshop on the rules governing military operations: welcome speech of the General Chief of Staff of the Swiss ArmyThe following speech was given by Christophe Keckeis, the General Chief of Staff of the Swiss Army, at the opening of the Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations (SWIRMO), Geneva, 6-17 August 2007. (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Official Statement 6-8-2007 Workshop on the rules governing military operations: welcome speech of ICRC vice-presidentThe following speech was given by Olivier Vodoz, vice-president of the ICRC, at the opening of the Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations (SWIRMO), Geneva, 6-17 August 2007. (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Official Statement 8-9-2005 Relations of the ICRC with the humanitarian system of the UN International Conference: "Application of International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Refugee Law: UN Security Council, Peacekeeping Forces, Protection of Human Beings in Disaster Situations", Statement by Dr. Jakob Kellenberger, ICRC President, San Remo - 8 September 2005 (ICRC Activities\Humanitarian diplomacy\United Nations) Official Statement 31-5-2005 An ICRC perspective on integrated missionsA speech delivered in Oslo by the ICRC's Vice-President, Jacques Forster, at an event hosted by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. It gives an ICRC perspective on integrated missions to help countries in transition from war to peace.Conference on Integrated Missions, Oslo, 30-31 May 2005 (Focus\Debate on humanitarian action) Official Statement Press article31-12-2004 The return of the mercenarySince the end of the cold war, private armies have proliferated in every corner of the globe. In the world’s hot spots, most notably in Afghanistan and Iraq, companies providing security and military assistance are playing an increasing role. This worrying phenomenon has profound repercussions for humanitarian law and calls for a new approach - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 3, 2004 (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Press article 13-10-2003 A police matter: Brazil’s police and in human rightsIn Brazil, a project to disseminate human rights rules is beginning to transform police practice and attitudes - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 3, 2003 (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Press article 30-3-2003 Armed forces and the law - In Action on "Civvy Street"In most cases, soldiers know how to respect humanitarian law when fighting armed combatants. But what if they have to face unruly civilians? A new ICRC training course hopes to provide some answers - Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 1, 2003 (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Press article Report27-9-2006 Women in Armed Opposition Groups in Africa and the Promotion of International Humanitarian Law and Human RightsThis report retraces the exchanges and recommendations conducted at the 2005 conference held in Addis Ababa on how women combatants can help promote humanitarian and human rights norms. Two members of the ICRC took part as facilitators in this conference organised by the NGO Geneva Call and which gathered 40 women currently or recently involved in armed opposition groups from a dozen sub-Saharan African countries. (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Report Includes PDF Video Collection1-8-2006 IHL training for the Ugandan military and policeIn 2006, the ICRC produced an 11-minute video about the integration of the basic principles of international humanitarian law into the doctrine, training and operations of the Uganda police and defence forces. (Info resources\Video) Video Collection Includes Video More in this section2-3-2006 Advanced Training on International Humanitarian LawThe ICRC and the Harvard Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research will be hosting an advanced training course on international humanitarian law (IHL) for mid-career professionals concerned with the role of IHL in the work of governments, international organisations and humanitarian non-governmental organisations operating in conflict zones. Place and date of the course : Harvard University, Massachusetts, USA, 16 - 21 July 2006 (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) 31-3-2003 Armed and security forces and the protection of children in armed conflictsDiscussion paper for ICRC delegates (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Includes PDF 30-6-2002 The law of armed conflict: teaching fileThe ICRC plays a major role in assisting the armed forces to teach and spread knowledge of the law of armed conflict. The teaching file has been developed for exactly that purpose. It is a training aid, available to any armed or security force that wishes to make use of it. The aim of the teaching file is therefore to assist instructors of the armed and security forces to teach the law of armed conflict. (ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL\Armed forces and police) Includes PDF Other site22-11-2007 Transnational and Non-State Armed Groups Project The Transnational and Non-State Armed Groups Project is an international and interdisciplinary initiative driven jointly by the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University and the Graduate Institute on International Studies in Geneva. The project aims to examine analytically the place of non-state armed groups within the context of armed conflict, and to identify strategic options as to the legal and policy implications of the contemporary role of these actors. (Info resources\Other sites\Institutes and universities) Other site 9-5-2005 Institute for Security Studies (ISS) - Peace support operation manualA working draft manual for African military practitioners. (Info resources\Other sites\Institutes and universities) Other site 9-5-2005 The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)Information on military and political developments relevant to the prospects, course, and consequences of conflict having an important military dimension and analysis of the policies to be pursued by various governments and other actors to further and maintain international peace and security. (Info resources\Other sites\Institutes and universities) Other site 9-5-2005 International relations and security network (ISN)Free public service that provides a wide range of products and resources to encourage the exchange of information among international relations and security professionals worldwide.
The ISN’s mission is to promote global security and cooperation by collecting, managing, and sharing specialized information for the international relations and security community. (Info resources\Other sites\Institutes and universities) Other site 23-2-2005 NATO – North Atlantic Treaty OrganisationInformation about NATO, main statements and legal texts. On-line access to NATO Review. NATO Handbook (definition, structure, role, activities, etc.). Information about depleted uranium, terrorism, Afghanistan, etc. Photos. Several audio files of press conferences and speeches. Subscription possible to electronic newsletter with latest information on NATO and its military command. (Info resources\Other sites\Intergovernmental organizations) Other site 23-2-2005 International Institute of Humanitarian Law (Sanremo)Newsletter. List of Institute publications. Activities. Information on the Military Department (spreading knowledge of IHL among military personnel). Related sites. (Info resources\Other sites\Institutes and universities) Other site  |
