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LEARN OUR PRINCIPLES
LEARN OUR PRINCIPLES

International humanitarian law (IHL) is the body of international law that sets out the rules of behaviour for those engaged in an armed conflict. Its aim is to limit the suffering caused by armed conflict, while seeking to protect human life and dignity.

Child Protection

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of armed conflict. Children are killed or maimed, made orphans, abducted, deprived of education and health care, recruited and used as child soldiers and left with deep emotional trauma.

Anti-personnel mines

“Anti-personnel mine” means a mine designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person and that will incapacitate, injure or kill one or more persons. Anti-personnel mines are specifically regulated under IHL due to their potential for indiscriminate effects.

Healthcare

Efficient health care is essential for both civilians and combatants in conflict situations. In conflicts, however, healthcare and health-care personnel are exposed to many dangers and thus require special protection and respect.

Prohibition of 
Sexual Violence

There is no internationally agreed definition of sexual violence. It includes rape, sexual slavery, trafficking for sexual purposes, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced incest, forced marriage, sexual torture or any…

International Humanitarian Law

International humanitarian law (IHL) is the body of international law that sets out the rules of behaviour for those engaged in an armed conflict. Its aim is to limit the suffering caused by armed conflict, while seeking to protect human life and dignity.

Child protection

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of armed conflict. Children are killed or maimed, made orphans, abducted, deprived of education and health care, recruited and used as child soldiers and left with deep emotional trauma.

Anti-personnel mines

“Anti-personnel mine” means a mine designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity or contact of a person and that will incapacitate, injure or kill one or more persons. Anti-personnel mines are specifically regulated under IHL due to their potential for indiscriminate effects.

Healthcare

Efficient health care is essential for both civilians and combatants in conflict situations. In conflicts, however, healthcare and health-care personnel are exposed to many dangers and thus require special protection and respect.

Prohibition of sexual violence

There is no internationally agreed definition of sexual violence. It includes rape, sexual slavery, trafficking for sexual purposes, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilization, forced incest, forced marriage, sexual torture or any…