The ICRC: 150 years of humanitarian action
The five founders of the ICRC: Gustave Moynier (top left), Louis Appia (bottom left), Guillaume-Henri Dufour (centre), Henry Dunant (top right), and Théodore Maunoir (bottom right). The ICRC was …
Skip to main content
Search results
Paraguay: women supporting their families from behind bars
Female detainees are often the sole providers for their families, so their detention results in great economic hardship for their loved ones. An innovative income generating project run by the ICRC …
Water and habitat: Water and war in towns and cities
All over the world, conflict and violence deprive people of water. Today is World Water Day, and as the ICRC Water and Habitat Unit celebrates its 30th anniversary, we highlight their role in …
Model legislative provisions on the recruitment or use of children in armed conflict - Model law
Document suggesting model legislative provisions to be used by States as guidance in the drafting of legislation prohibiting the recruitment or use of children in armed conflict. t h e D o m e s t i …
Chemical and biological weapons
The international community banned the use of chemical and biological weapons after World War I and reinforced the ban in 1972 and 1993 by prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and …
From our archives: Modes of transport
1914-1918 war. Near the front, in a Hungarian Red Cross ambulance car, the wounded are taken in and given first aid before being evacuated. © ICRC Photo Library / hist-e-00402 Famine in Russia, …
Discussion on Strengthening Compliance with International Humanitarian Law, Geneva, 8-9 April 2013
2nd Discussion on Strengthening Compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Functions of a possible IHL compliance system and their features 8–9 April 2013 Background document Geneva, March …
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Try one of the following resources:
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.