Venezuela: Making access to health care a priority
The current situation in Venezuela is extremely complex. Some areas are experiencing limited access to health care, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and the population is being exposed to a …
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Voices from the Field
Universally ratified, the Geneva Conventions represent a unique and global commitment by States to humanity. Respect thereof continues to play a crucial role today in ensuring the protection of …
Explosive weapons in cities: Civilian devastation and suffering must stop
Statement The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and the President of the ICRC, Peter Maurer, issue a joint appeal Idlib and Tripoli are currently enduring untold suffering …
Implementing IHL in West Africa: Redux
In November 2018, a West African International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Plan of Action was validated by experts from 14 countries in the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS]. This …
Philippines launches nationwide IHL infomercial
In real life, war has real consequences. To raise awareness about the Geneva Conventions and the rules of war, the Philippines' International Humanitarian Law Ad Hoc Committee launched an infomercial …
Malaysia: Red Crescent board members enhance IHL knowledge
They have volunteered their services and time for the betterment of the National Society. In yet another instance of their dedication to the cause, a group of around 20 National Executive Board …
Egypt: Facts and figures, January – December 2018
ICRC’s long-standing cooperation with the Egyptian Red Crescent Society has further developed with enhanced activities related to the International Red Cross and Crescent Movement’s Family Links …
Guidelines on investigating violations of IHL: Law, policy and good practice
Investigations into alleged violations of international humanitarian law by the parties to an armed conflict are not only crucial to securing respect for IHL , but also to preventing future …
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Cash aids recovery following ethnic violence
Land disputes sparked deadly clashes in 2018 between ethnic groups in Kakenge, which lies in the Kasaï region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Large numbers of people fled into the …
Pakistan: ICRC completes 15th National Course on Management of the Dead in Emergencies
When people die during emergency and disaster situations, their bodies must be handled with respect, efficiency and dignity. Across the world, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) …
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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.