WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

Also Known as the Law of Armed Conflict which can be divided into

2 parts Justification of War and Conduct of War It is that part of international Law that seeks to save lives and alleviate suffering of both combatants& non- combatants during armed conflict. It is founded on the principle of Humanity, impartiality and neutrality.

Development of International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

Credited to 19th century Swiss Businessman Henry Durant. After witnessing a bloody battle in Italy, he proposed that volunteer relief groups be granted protection during the war. He was the Founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) He helped champion the first universally applicable codification of (IHL) in 1864 later revised in 1949.

The Geneva Conventions of 1949

These Conventions are signed by almost every nation in the World.
They apply in all cases of declared war or in

any other armed conflict between nations They apply in cases where a nation is partially or totally occupied by soldiers of another nation even when there is no armed resistance to that occupation.

Conventions Cont
Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of

Conditions of the wounded & Sick in Armed Forces in the Field. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick, Shipwrecked members of Armed Forces at Sea Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of prisoners of War Protection of Civilian Persons in Times of War

Goals of Humanitarian Law

Limit the effects of war on people and property
To protect both civilians and soldiers

Protect human dignity and the principle of humanity

To protect particularly vulnerable persons:

Non-combatants, wounded, sick, prisoners, women and children must be respected and protected.

Goals Continued
Protect against torture, cruel and inhumane treatment. Persons suffering from the effects of war

must be aided and cared for without discrimination Protected persons must at all times have resort to a Protecting Power (a neutral State) or to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) or another impartial humanitarian organization.