What Is International Humanitarian Law?
The foundations of IHL, its purpose, and how it differs from other bodies of international law.
Definition and Purpose
International humanitarian law (IHL) is the body of rules that applies during armed conflict. Its purpose is twofold: to protect people who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities (civilians, wounded soldiers, prisoners of war) and to restrict the means and methods of warfare available to combatants. IHL does not seek to eliminate war; it accepts that armed conflict occurs and tries to limit its human cost.
IHL is sometimes called the laws of war, the laws of armed conflict, or jus in bello (the law in war), as distinguished from jus ad bellum (the law on the use of force), which governs when it is lawful to go to war. IHL applies equally to all parties to an armed conflict, regardless of who started it or which side has the just cause.