The DONARE FAQs present a selection of frequently asked questions about International Humanitarian Law (IHL), clarifying some of the rules that apply in armed conflict and their relevance for humanitarian work.
The United Nations has reacted strongly to the passage of a bill in the United Kingdom this week that seeks to deport asylum seekers to the African country of Rwanda, in violation of international legal obligations. Following the passage of the "Safety of Rwanda" Bill by the UK Parliament, two UN leaders reiterated their alarm at the damaging impact it will have on refugee protection, human rights and global responsibility-sharing.
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International Humanitarian Law (IHL), also known as the laws of war or the law of armed conflict, is a set of rules and principles that aim to limit the effects of armed conflict and protect individuals who are not or are no longer taking part in the hostilities. It seeks to balance military necessity with humanitarian considerations, minimizing unnecessary suffering and safeguarding the rights of civilians and other non-combatants.
The "Illegal Migration Bill", which has now been passed by Parliament in the United Kingdom (UK), is “at variance with the country’s obligations under international human rights and refugee law” and will have profound consequences for people in need of international protection, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned today. In order for the Bill to come into force, it requires the approval – royal assent - of King Charles III.
DONARE FAQs presents a selection of frequently asked questions about humanitarian crises, introducing the basic features and contexts of humanitarian emergencies.
Independent investigators appointed by the United Nations have accused Sudan's warring parties of driving the country into a humanitarian abyss by flagrantly disregarding basic human rights and international humanitarian law. The three-member International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan presented its first oral update to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sources in Iran report steadily rising numbers of fatalities from Israeli attacks. More than 450 people have reportedly been killed in the country, including dozens of women and children, and more than 1,400 people have reportedly been injured in Israeli airstrikes and missile attacks that began early Friday. Meanwhile, Israeli health authorities say that 24 people have been killed and more than 600 injured by Iranian counter-strikes since Friday.
DONARE FAQs presents a selection of frequently asked questions about humanitarian actors, naming key players, describing the roles and responsibilities of different organizations and stakeholders, and how humanitarian action is coordinated.
Established in 2002 under the multilateral Rome Statute, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organization and international court based in The Hague, the Netherlands. The ICC, which has 125 state parties, the majority of the world's states, is independent but is supported by the United Nations General Assembly.
Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, strongly condemned the United States government’s decision to impose sanctions on four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges. On Friday, Türk called the sanctions “deeply corrosive of good governance and the due administration of justice” and urged the United States to promptly reconsider and withdraw them.
The DONARE FAQs section provides curated answers to some of the most common questions related to humanitarian action. It is intended as a reference tool, offering concise explanations of key concepts, principles, and practices that regularly feature in the coverage of DONARE. Questions and answers are designed primarily for educational purposes and do not replace official legal or policy guidance.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday condemned the issuance of an executive order by the United States president that seeks to impose sanctions on its officials and " harm its independent and impartial judicial work." The ICC said it stands firmly by its staff and pledges to continue to bring justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world. The Court in The Hague said it will do so "in all situations before it" and "in the sole interest of human dignity."
War crimes are serious violations of the laws and customs of war, also known as International Humanitarian Law (IHL), that give rise to individual criminal responsibility. They are defined in various international treaties and agreements, most notably the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols, as well as the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Geneva Conventions are a series of international treaties that establish the legal framework for the protection of individuals who are not or are no longer taking part in hostilities during armed conflicts. The conventions follow on the first adopted in 1864 in Geneva, Switzerland, and have been revised and expanded over the years. The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 are at the core of International Humanitarian Law.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk delivered a stark warning to the international community on Monday, condemning the glorification of violence, widespread impunity, and the ongoing erosion of international law around the world. Addressing the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Türk urged states to uphold human rights as the basis for peaceful societies.
Collective punishment refers to the imposition of penalties, sanctions, or punitive measures on a group of people – such as families, communities, ethnic groups, populations, or nations - as a whole, rather than on individuals who may be responsible for a specific offense. This practice is considered a violation of principles of justice and human rights, as criminal responsibility can be attributed only to individuals. The concept behind collective punishment is to hold an entire group accountable for the actions of a few individuals within that group.
Armed conflict refers to a situation in which organized groups, often states or non-state actors, engage in the use of armed force against each other or within a particular region. Armed conflict involves the deployment of military personnel, weaponry, and other resources to achieve specific political, ideological, or territorial objectives. Such conflicts can vary significantly in terms of scale, intensity, duration, and the parties involved.
Humanitarian aid is a complex and multifaceted field involving a network of a wide range of international, regional and national actors, from international organizations and governments to non-governmental organizations and local partner organizations. Each of these actors has a specific role to play in responding to humanitarian crises, providing relief or supporting humanitarian operations.
