International humanitarian law (IHL) is a key legal framework that provides crucial safeguards to people affected by armed conflicts. This overview summarizes some of the main provisions of IHL that may be particularly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic
This paper identifies commonalities between international humanitarian law (IHL) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and emphasizes certain specific contributions of IHL to the protection of persons with disabilities in armed conflict.
It is hoped that this legal analysis will contribute to current efforts by the ICRC and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, as well as other actors, to operationalise better inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in carrying out humanitarian activities in armed conflict
International humanitarian law (IHL) is a set of rules that, in times of armed conflict, seeks – for humanitarian reasons – to protect persons who are not, or are no longer directly participating in hostilities, and to restrict means and methods of warfare. IHL requires parties to armed conflicts to afford special respect and protection to persons with disabilities and helps ensure their inclusion. A number of weapons-related treaties aims to prevent certain disabilities from occurring by prohibiting the use of particular weapons and reducing the dangers they pose. They also seek to ensure that victims receive appropriate assistance.
In addition to IHL, international human rights law (IHRL) – particularly the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and its Optional Protocol – contains important protections. For example, the CRPD recognizes States Parties' obligations under, inter alia, IHL and IHRL and obliges States Parties to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities during armed conflict (Art. 11).
"These Guiding Principles are intended to serve the purpose of promoting and spreading knowledge of international humanitarian law and, in particular, of implementing the provisions protecting children affected by armed conflicts, especially children associated or previously associated with armed forces or armed groups. The Guiding Principles suggest a number of practical, regulatory and legal measures as means to encourage States to improve such protection. They are based mainly on binding international rules (taking into account the specific obligations of all relevant treaties and of customary law). They also refer to widely accepted instruments of a non-binding character ("soft law"). A checklist of the main obligations regarding children associated with armed forces and armed groups is provided in Annex IV"
"This resource outlines professional standards for protection work for humanitarian and human rights actors in armed conflict and other situations of violence. It was compiled through an extensive consultative process and reflects shared thinking and common agreement among humanitarian and human rights actors on minimum but essential elements, as well as principles and good practice required to ensure that their protection work is as safe and effective as possible"
"This report presents the priorities and recommendations for implementation of victim assistance commitments in the context of the Mine Ban Convention, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War from an expert meeting"
"Expert meeting"
Oslo, Norway
23- 25 June 2009
The leaflet outlines the activities and norms supported by the Red Cross in the fight to ban cluster munitions. Their activities include: incident-data gathering, risk education, and measures to facilitate safe access to food, water and fuel in contaminated areas
This is the report of an Expert Meeting on humanitarian, miliatry, technical and legal chalenges to cluser munitions. It examines the complex problems that arise with the use of cluster munitions and discusses how to reduce their negative impact on civilians
