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International Humanitarian Law

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is the branch of international law that encompasses both humanitarian principles and international treaties that seek to save lives and alleviate suffering of both combatants and noncombatants during armed conflicts. Its principal legal documents are the Geneva Conventions of 1949, four treaties signed by almost every nation in the world, and the 1977 Additional Protocols.

Under the rules of IHL during armed conflict -

  • Torture, indiscriminate bombings, and the taking of hostages are prohibited
  • All wounded must be cared for, regardless of their loyalties in a conflict
  • Prisoners of war must be humanely treated
  • Medical personnel, establishments, mobile units, and materials are to be protected
  • Civilians are not to be the object of attack

International humanitarian law does not ask why a conflict exists. Its primary concern is how to alleviate the human suffering brought on by war.

IHL and the Red Cross have been linked since 1863 when Henri Dunant, a Swiss citizen, proposed that civilian volunteers be permitted to provide medical relief to wounded and sick soldiers. His ideas gave birth to what is today the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and were the inspiration for the first Geneva Convention. The Red Cross adheres to the underlying principles of IHL - humanity, impartiality, and neutrality - to safeguard its unique role in preventing and alleviating human suffering in armed conflict.

Those drafting the Geneva Convention of 1864 foresaw the need for a universal symbol of protection easily recognizable on the battlefield. In honor of the Swiss origin of this initiative, the symbol of a red cross on a white background (the reverse of the Swiss flag) was identified as a protective emblem in conflict areas. The red crescent and red crystal emblems were later recognized by nations as additional emblems of humanitarian relief.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a private Swiss institution that acts as the "guardian" of the Geneva Conventions, and serves as a neutral intermediary to protect victims of armed conflict. Established in 1863 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the ICRC is the founding member of the Movement. During armed conflict, the ICRC endeavors to:

  • Protect and assist victims of armed conflict
  • Visit prisoners of war and civilian detainees
  • Transmit Red Cross Messages to and from family members
  • Establish hospital and safety zones for the civilian population
  • Participate in relief programs for displaced persons
  • Actively disseminate the rules and principles of IHL

The American Red Cross has a unique mandate to educate the American public about their guiding principles and the IHL framework.

Exploring Humanitarian Law

Exploring Humanitarian Law (EHL) is an educational program that introduces young people between 13 and 18 years of age to the basic rules and principles of international humanitarian law. For a short video, click here:

The learning materials present historical and contemporary situations in which humanitarian action is required to protect life and human dignity during armed conflicts or other situations of violence. By studying these situations, students and teachers discover gradually what rules are needed, what rules exist, how they have developed over time, why they are violated and why violations must be addressed. The teaching methods used in EHL require students to play an active role in the learning process and teachers to build on students' thinking and their experiences.

EHL is not merely about teaching international humanitarian law (IHL). It aims to explore the ethical and humanitarian issues that arise during armed conflicts or other situations of violence. The primary learning goal of EHL is to help young people embrace the principles of humanity in their daily lives. In particular, it fosters:

  • Understanding of the need to respect life and human dignity, especially in times of armed conflict or violence
  • Understanding of humanitarian issues and of the various aspects of IHL as well as the complexity of its application
  • Interest in current events and the capacity to view conflicts at home and abroad from a humanitarian perspective
  • Involvement in community service or other activities that serve the most vulnerable members of society

If you have any questions or would like to sign up for a training session, contact Gena Robinson at robinson@stjoe-redcross.org.

For more resources and information, visit http://www.ehl.icrc.org/ or view our International Humanitarian Law Briefing.