Essay on International Humanitarian Law - 1949 Words

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is seen as the law in which provides basic human rights in time of armed conflict. The use of IHL in a modern scenario is needed now more then ever with the increase of entities that wish to disrupt the peace by ignoring basic human rights. Organisations and treaties have been created to help govern the IHL; which will need to be analysed to provide insight into IHLs. This essay aims to critically analyse IHL and outline how it can be improved. To gain an understanding IHL will first be defined. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) defines IHL as â€Å"a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict.† It can be seen as protection for those who no†¦show more content†¦After seeing the suffering of thousands who were abandoned in the warzone, Dunant recruited nearby residents to help treat the wounded and provide relief. After experiencing such a tragic event Dunant went on to write A Memory of Solferino, which proposed the organising of a volunteer relief corps that would provide treatment for the injured (ICRC, 2006: 6). It was written that: â€Å"Would it not be possible, in time of peace and quiet, to form relief societies for the purpose of having care given to the wounded in wartime by zealous, devoted, and thoroughly qualified volunteers?† However, it wasn’t until 1863 until his vision was realised in Geneva, Switzerland when a â€Å"Committee of Five† was formed (ICRC, 2006: 7). This group went on to call themselves the International Committee of the Red Cross; which a few months later in 1864 first adopted the Geneva Convention Treaty. The first Geneva Convention had 10 articles outlining items such as people who help the wounded, medical facilities and ambulances are to be recognised as neutral and should be protected (ICRC, 2006: 7). In 1949 the Geneva Convention had been adopted by most states and went onto include extra protection for entities such as civilians, prisoners of war and hospital ships (ICRC, 2006: 9). Protocols wereShow MoreRelatedRespect For International Humanitarian Law1517 Words   |  7 PagesRespect for International Humanitarian Law Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions provides that States parties undertake to â€Å"ensure respect for the present Convention †. The same provision is repeated in Additional Protocol I in relation to respect for the provisions of that Protocol . It further provides that in the event of serious violations of the Protocol, States parties undertake to act, jointly or individually, in cooperation with the United Nations and in conformity with the Charter of the UnitedRead MoreHumanitarian Intervention, NATO and International Law Essay3286 Words   |  14 Pagesdiscourse surrounding humanitarian intervention has focused on the responsibility to protect (R2P). 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