"International humanitarian law (IHL), also referred to as the laws of armed conflict, is the law that regulates the conduct of war (jus in bello)."
An understanding of the legal framework that governs the conduct of armed conflicts and the protection of civilians, detainees, and wounded people.
History of International Humanitarian Law: The evolution of International Humanitarian Law and the development of legal frameworks to protect civilians during armed conflict.
Key actors and organizations: The role of international organizations like the United Nations and non-governmental organizations in implementing International Humanitarian Law.
Types of armed conflict: The different types of armed conflicts such as international, non-international, and internal conflicts that cross border lines.
Principles of International Humanitarian Law: The fundamental principles of International Humanitarian Law like distinction, proportionality, and humanity.
Protection of civilians: The legal provisions for the protection of civilians, including limits on the use of force, prevention of attacks, and management of refugee flows.
Use of force and weapons: Restrictions on the use of force and weapons under International Humanitarian Law, such as prohibition of certain weapons.
Rights of prisoners of war and detainees: The protection of prisoners of war and detainees, such as humane treatment, procedural safeguards, and access to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Humanitarian assistance and access: The provision of humanitarian assistance, and safe and unrestricted access for humanitarian workers in conflict zones.
The role of peacekeeping forces: The role of peacekeeping forces in implementing International Humanitarian Law, including the use of force and the responsibility to protect.
Investigations and accountability: The mechanisms for investigating and holding accountable individuals and states for violations of International Humanitarian Law.
National implementation of International Humanitarian Law: Implementation of International Humanitarian Law at the national level, including the domestication of International Humanitarian Law in domestic law.
Contemporary issues in International Humanitarian Law: Contemporary issues such as cyber warfare, the use of drones, and the protection of cultural heritage sites.
The Geneva Conventions: These are a set of four treaties that were adopted in 1949 and relate to the protection of civilian populations during times of war.
The Hague Conventions: These are a set of treaties dating back to 1899 and 1907 that govern the laws of war, including the treatment of prisoners of war and the rules of engagement.
The Rome Statute: This is the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is charged with investigating and prosecuting international crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
United Nations Peacekeeping: This refers to the practice of deploying unarmed, impartial peacekeeping forces to conflict zones or areas struggling with instability.
Humanitarian Interventions: This is an international political and legal principle that states that nations are permitted to intervene in foreign states for humanitarian purposes, such as to stop war or genocide.
Responsibility to Protect: This is a principle that asserts that governments have a responsibility to protect their populations from mass atrocities, and that the international community has a responsibility to assist governments in fulfilling that responsibility.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL): This is the body of law that governs armed conflict, including the protection of civilians and combatants, the proper treatment of prisoners of war, and the rules governing the use of weapons and tactics during war.
"It is a branch of international law that seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict by protecting persons who are not participating in hostilities and by restricting and regulating the means and methods of warfare available to combatants."
"International humanitarian law is inspired by considerations of humanity and the mitigation of human suffering."
"It comprises a set of rules, which is established by treaty or custom and that seeks to protect persons and property/objects that are or may be affected by armed conflict."
"Sources of international law include international agreements (the Geneva Conventions), customary international law, general principles of nations, and case law."
"It limits the rights of parties to a conflict to use methods and means of warfare of their choice."
"It defines the conduct and responsibilities of belligerent nations, neutral nations, and individuals engaged in warfare, in relation to each other and to protected persons, usually meaning non-combatants."
"It is designed to balance humanitarian concerns and military necessity, and subjects warfare to the rule of law by limiting its destructive effect and alleviating human suffering."
"Serious violations of international humanitarian law are called war crimes."
"It is distinct from jus ad bellum which regulates the conduct of engaging in war or armed conflict and includes the crime of aggression."
"IHL operates on a strict division between rules applicable in international armed conflict and internal armed conflict."
"International humanitarian law is traditionally seen as distinct from international human rights law (which governs the conduct of a state towards its people), although the two branches of law are complementary and in some ways overlap."