Geneva Conventions: Even wars have limits
What’s 70 years old? Has saved millions of lives? And, continues to protect people? The Geneva Conventions. The Geneva Conventions are a vital global pledge born out of the kind of suffering we see …
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Fifth Commonwealth Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference on IHL
Celebrating the Geneva Conventions and Building respect for IHL: A Commonwealth Perspective On 10-14 June 2019, over 140 representatives of 37 Commonwealth countries and 28 National Red Cross and Red …
Artificial intelligence and machine learning in armed conflict: A human-centred approach
The ICRC, like many organizations across different sectors and regions, is grappling with the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for its work. Since these are software …
Natural environment: Neglected victim of armed conflict
The impact of armed conflict on the natural environment is often acknowledged, but its scale is largely underestimated. From 1946 to 2010, conflict was the single most important predictor of declines …
Samoa co-hosts Pacific Islands round table on International Humanitarian Law
International humanitarian law (IHL), also known as the law of armed conflict, is relevant for all nation States, even those in peaceful regions like the Pacific. While IHL only applies during times …
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Landmines, a disturbing reminder of war
It has been 25 years since the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict first disrupted the lives of the people living in the region. The years may have sped by, but the people continue to be haunted by the ghosts …
Rebuilding Mosul, one business at a time
Residents of Mosul’s old town are gradually bringing life back to the streets of their city. To help them pick up the pieces and resume their lives, the International Committee of the Red Cross …
Step by step, new centre for people with disabilities takes shape
The world's first 'Humanitarian Impact Bond' is financing three new physical rehabilitation centres in Africa, providing vital services for people with disabilities. Construction of the Mali facility …
The potential human cost of cyber operations
This report provides an account of the discussions that took place during a meeting of experts organised by the ICRC in November 2018 on the potential human cost of cyber operations. Cyber attacks …
Central America Annual Report 2019
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a humanitarian organization that operates according to the Fundamental Principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence and has the …
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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.