War & Law
International humanitarian law is a set of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects people who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.
Sources of international humanitarian law
IHL 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 law consists of rules that come from "a general practice accepted as law" and that exist independent of treaty law.
Topics
Understanding and responding to challenges to IHL brought on by contemporary conflicts.
IHL protects a wide range of people during armed conflict.
Wounded, sick, and shipwrecked
IHL governs the choice of weapons and prohibits or restricts the use of certain weapons.
IHL aims to strike a balance between legitimate military objectives and the humanitarian objective of reducing suffering, particularly among civilians.
The red cross, red crescent and red crystal emblems are a visible manifestation of the protection accorded to military medical services and relief workers in armed conflicts.
When violations of IHL occur, States are under obligation to prosecute offenders. Domestic courts therefore play an important role in the enforcement of IHL. In addition to national jurisdictions, violations of IHL can also be prosecuted by various international criminal tribunals.
For IHL treaties to be universally accepted, all States must adopt them and then enact legislation and take practical measures in order for the rules to be fully effective. The ICRC’s Advisory Service can help, by providing assistance and documentation.
IHL and other legal regimes are complementary in armed conflicts.
For IHL to effectively regulate the behaviour of warring parties, there is a need for both adequate rules and actual respect for those rules.
Strengthening IHL protecting detainees
Strengthening compliance with IHL (2012-2015)
Featured publications
The first in a series of updated Commentaries to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols, published online by the ICRC and in print by Cambridge University Press.
Protection considerations in the law of naval warfare: The Second Geneva Convention and the role of the ICRC.
Cases, documents and teaching materials on contemporary practice in international humanitarian law.
A quarterly journal published by the ICRC and Cambridge University Press.
Library and research services
The library and Research Service offers over 140,000
documents on IHL and the ICRC's work
Services & resources
Promoting and implementing IHL is primarily the responsibility of States and the Advisory Service on IHL assist them to fulfil their obligations.
The ICRC emphasize IHL teaching in secondary schools and universities, to reach tomorrow's decision-makers and opinion-leaders.
A wealth of resources connecting international humanitarian law with the policies that guide humanitarian action.