International Humanitarian Law

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a set of rules that seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons. It protects individuals who are not participating in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. IHL is primarily derived from the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, which outline the protections for wounded and sick soldiers, shipwrecked members of the armed forces, prisoners of war, and civilians. The main principles of IHL include the distinction between combatants and non-combatants, the prohibition of unnecessary suffering, and the requirement to treat all individuals humanely without adverse distinction. IHL applies in times of armed conflict, both international and non-international, and is designed to ensure that even in war, there are rules that govern the conduct of hostilities to protect human dignity and minimize suffering.