A licence to kill for autonomous weapons?
Autonomous weapons are an emotive subject, with the potential to change the whole nature of warfare. Could machines one day be able to carry out killing without human control and what should we do …
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Philippines: Displaced Maguindanaons face uncertain future
Maguindanao, Philippines. Since the fighting between government forces and armed groups erupted in March, Puya Bahal, 59, and his family have stayed together in this makeshift tent. “We fear being …
Philippines: Civilians suffer impact of armed clashes in central Mindanao
Fear and uncertainty remain for thousands of people displaced by the month-long clashes between government armed forces and armed groups in Maguindanao in March. The International Committee of the …
Migrant and refugee deaths a cry to European countries to take humanitarian action
Statement Statement by ICRC president Peter Maurer I am deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of hundreds of lives in such tragic circumstances in the Mediterranean. These deaths of men, women and …
Health Care in Danger Report: The untold suffering
"An airstrike destroys the paediatric and premature baby section of a hospital killing, among others, five babies and three mothers. A health-care centre occupied by security forces for days, …
Working to protect health care
Red Cross Volunteers sensitize the community on health issues in Guinea. Health-care workers contribute to ensure that communities, weapon bearers, authorities and other stakeholders accept and trust …
Nigeria: Losing everything
Hafeesu Adamu and Ummu-Salma spent several days in the forest with their children before finding refuge in Yola. They fled with only the clothes they stood up in. Aid distributed in mid-April by the …
Nigeria: Becoming less dependent on aid
Vitala Ekwas leads a small community of people displaced by the violence plaguing northern Nigeria. Aid from the ICRC and the Nigerian Red Cross is making life a little easier, and water is …
Nigeria: Obstacles to aid
Hélène Plenneveaux is deputy head of the ICRC's Nigeria delegation. She explains some of the obstacles encountered in getting aid to the thousands of displaced people in northern Nigeria. The people …
Guinea: Help for 150 families affected by Ebola
Bawa, Guéckédou, Guinea. Guinean Red Cross and ICRC members prepare to distribute household items to families affected by Ebola. In total, 15 local Red Cross volunteers took part in the distribution …
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Customary international humanitarian law consists of rules that come from "a general practice accepted as law" and that exist independent of treaty law.