IHL stands for International Humanitarian Law, also known as the Law of Armed Conflict or the Laws of War. It refers to a set of rules and principles that regulate the conduct of parties engaged in armed conflicts, whether international or non-international. IHL is primarily aimed at minimizing the impact of armed conflict on individuals who are not taking part in the hostilities and limiting the methods and means of warfare.
The main objectives of IHL are to protect those who are not or are no longer participating in the conflict, such as civilians, prisoners of war, and the wounded and sick. It also seeks to place certain restrictions on the use of force and to prohibit certain weapons and tactics that may cause unnecessary suffering or pose indiscriminate harm.
IHL is based on several sources, including international treaties, customary international law, and principles derived from various legal systems and moral values. These rules apply during armed conflicts, regardless of the reasons behind the conflict or its legality.
Some key principles under IHL include distinction, which requires parties to differentiate between combatants and non-combatants, and proportionality, which mandates that anticipated civilian harm should not be excessive in relation to the anticipated military advantage gained. Furthermore, IHL forbids the use of certain weapons, such as chemical weapons or landmines, and establishes protections for prisoners of war, civilians, and cultural property.
By upholding the principles of IHL, parties to a conflict aim to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of armed confrontations, even amidst the unavoidable presence of violence and warfare.
