International Humanitarian Law

Here you will find content on the topic International Humanitarian Law, Page 1 (Pages in total: 18). The listing is sorted by relevancy.

By SDK, 27 April, 2024

Refugee protection: UK breaches undermine international rule of law

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.

Find content by topic

Humanitarian aid plays a crucial role in responding to the urgent needs of people affected by crises, including armed conflicts, natural disasters, and health emergencies. DONARE consists of more than 2,000 pages related to humanitarian action. You can navigate through some of the content using the topics listed below. Learn about organizations, global issues, and initiatives dedicated to alleviating human suffering.

International Humanitarian Law

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.

By SDK, 18 July, 2023

UN: British migration bill in breach of international law

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.

By SDK, 19 June, 2024

Independent investigators: Disregard for human rights, humanitarian law drives crisis in Sudan

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.

By SDK, 17 June, 2025

Iran: Hundreds killed, thousands injured as Israel launches another war

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.

Welcome to DONARE

Get informed, Donate, Give attention - DONARE is an information portal about donations, humanitarian aid and humanitarian crises worldwide. On our website you will find the latest humanitarian news, background information on humanitarian work, aid organizations, humanitarian emergencies and details on how you can help, whether as a donor or through other means. DONARE stands by the most vulnerable people.

International Criminal Court

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.

By SDK, 6 June, 2025

International Criminal Court: UN human rights chief condemns US sanctions against judges

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.

By SDK, 7 February, 2025

International Criminal Court condemns US move to impose sanctions

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

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).

Geneva Conventions

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.

Collective Punishment

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

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.

Key Players in Humanitarian Aid

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.

By SDK, 6 May, 2023

Humanitarian aid and human rights: Differences and common ground

Humanitarian aid and human rights are two concepts that are closely related, yet distinct in their approach to addressing issues of global concern. Both seek to promote the well-being of individuals and communities, but they do so through different means and with different objectives in mind. At their core, humanitarian action and human rights share a common goal of promoting human dignity and alleviating human suffering. At the center of both ideas are humans and the concept of humanity.

By SDK, 17 March, 2023

Ukraine: Independent investigation accuses Russia of widespread war crimes, possible crimes against humanity

Russian authorities have committed a wide range of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in various regions of Ukraine and in Russia, many of which amount to war crimes, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine said in a new report Thursday. The war crimes include attacks on civilians and energy-related infrastructure, willful killings, torture and inhuman treatment, unlawful confinement, rape and unlawful transfers and deportations of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation.

Refugees and IDPs

The number of forcibly displaced people continues to rise. As of December 2024, over 123 million people worldwide had been forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, and events that had seriously disrupted public order. By the end of last year, a record 73.5 million people had been uprooted from their homes by conflict and violence and remained displaced within their own countries as internally displaced persons (IDPs).

By SDK, 3 March, 2025

Israel blocks all humanitarian aid into Gaza

In a gross violation of international humanitarian law, Israel has blocked the entry of aid trucks into the Gaza Strip since Sunday. The total blockade came amid stalled cessation of hostilities talks. The Red Cross Movement warns that the closure of all crossings for aid into Gaza poses a grave risk to the millions of people who have been struggling to survive for sixteen months.

Palestine Crisis

The overall humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is marked by a protracted political crisis, characterized by 57 years of Israeli military occupation. In October 2023, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip deteriorated drastically following the start of a war by the Israeli military due to atrocities committed by Palestinian armed groups. For more than 20 months, an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe is raging in Gaza, where civilians are dying from violence, lack of medical treatment, disease, starvation, dehydration, and hypothermia. On January 19, 2025, a ceasefire between Israel and the armed group Hamas went into effect. On March 17, Israel broke the ceasefire and relaunched its brutal military campaign across the territory.