What is the implementation of international humanitarian law?

International humanitarian law – also called the law of war – sets out detailed rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict. In particular, it protects those who are not, or no longer, taking part in the fighting, and sets limits on the means and methods of warfare.

What is the national humanitarian law?

Overview: Protecting the. Vulnerable in War. International humanitarian law (IHL) is a set of rules that seek for humanitarian reasons to limit the effects of armed conflict. IHL protects persons who are not or who are no longer participating in hostilities and it restricts the means and methods of warfare.

What are the four principles of international humanitarian law?

To put things as simply as possible, these rules can be summed up in four precepts: do not attack non-combatants, attack combatants only by legal means, treat persons in your power humanely, and protect the victims …

How did the international humanitarian law change between 1977 and 2005?

Protocols were added to the Geneva Conventions in 1977 and 2005, and a range of other international conventions and protocols covering specific areas such as conventional weapons, chemical weapons, landmines, laser weapons, cluster munitions and the protection of children in armed conflicts has developed the reach of …

What are the main challenges in the implementation of international humanitarian law?

Challenges of implementing IHL in contemporary conflicts: The fragmentation of non-State armed groups. The rapid development of private military and security companies. The necessity of limiting or outlawing the use of certain weapons. The challenge to the humanitarian law to fight against present terrorism.

What is the role of the ICRC with respect to IHL?

As the guardian and promoter of IHL, the ICRC takes action to protect and assist victims of armed conflicts and other situations of violence, and to foster respect for the law.

How is international humanitarian law implemented and enforced?

Due to the importance placed on repressing grave breaches, IHL compels parties to the Conventions to enact legislation to punish such breaches, to search for persons alleged to have committed such breaches, and to either bring such persons before one’s own State courts, or else extradite them to another State for …

Who governs international humanitarian law?

The International Court of Justice is a principal judicial body of the United Nations. It was established in June of 1945. The court has jurisdiction over issues relating to International Humanitarian Law offenses.

Which are the objectives of the international humanitarian law?

The objective of international humanitarian law is to limit the suffering caused by warfare and to alleviate its effects. Its rules are the result of a delicate balance between the exigencies of warfare ( ” military necessity ” ) on the one hand and the laws of humanity on the other.

Who is the father of the IHL?

IHL, the origins of which are ancient, was codified in the second half of the 19th century, under the influence of Henry Dunant, the founding father of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

What are the two branches of international humanitarian law?

International humanitarian law (IHL) – also known as the law of armed conflicts or law of war – (see Terminology opposite), has two branches: • the “law of Geneva”, which is designed to safeguard military personnel who are no longer taking part in the fighting and people not actively involved in hostilities, i.e. …