Define: Humanitarian Law

Humanitarian law, also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict, is a set of rules and principles that regulate the conduct of armed conflicts and seek to protect civilians and other non-combatants from the effects of war.

The main sources of humanitarian law are international treaties, customary international law, and the decisions of international courts and tribunals.

All parties to an armed conflict, including states, non-state armed groups, and individuals, are bound by humanitarian law.

The key principles of humanitarian law include the principles of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity, as well as the obligation to respect and protect civilians and other non-combatants.

War crimes are serious violations of humanitarian law committed during armed conflicts, such as intentionally targeting civilians, torture, and rape.

The International Criminal Court is a permanent international tribunal that has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. It plays a key role in enforcing humanitarian law.

The responsibility to protect is a principle of international law that holds states responsible for protecting their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.

Humanitarian organisations play a critical role in providing assistance and protection to civilians affected by armed conflicts, including by providing food, shelter, medical care, and other essential services.

Humanitarian law and human rights law are closely related, as both seek to protect the rights and dignity of individuals during armed conflicts. However, humanitarian law applies specifically to armed conflicts, while human rights law applies more broadly to all situations.

The implementation of humanitarian law faces many challenges, including lack of political will, insufficient resources, and non-state armed groups that do not recognize or respect the law.