In a world dominated by headlines about armed conflicts and humanitarian crises, a disturbing pattern emerges: the widespread disregard for the laws of war. These rules, enshrined in international humanitarian law, or IHL, were established to impose critical limitations on warring parties, safeguarding civilian populations, prisoners of war, and medical personnel from unnecessary suffering.
When respected, these rules can make the difference between a hospital being shelled or not, between families living in uncertainty or learning the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones, and between life and death. Conceived in the late 19th century and significantly expanded after the Second World War’s catastrophic impact, these laws face severe challenges on battlefields across the globe.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, together with states and global stakeholders, is urgently working to improve respect for these essential rules. In addition to blatant disregard, we are gravely concerned by permissive interpretations of IHL that undermine its core intent, with devastating consequences for countless individuals. Through collective action, we aim to galvanize attention and express indignation at the lack of respect for IHL, ensuring these rules are upheld to protect the most vulnerable in times of conflict.
At the recent International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in October, 191 signatories of the Geneva Conventions and 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies united to adopt five key resolutions aimed at advancing humanitarian solutions. Notably, two ICRC-led resolutions on IHL mark critical progress.
The International Committee of the Red Cross is a neutral, impartial, and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering, often alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.
For more information: https://www.icrc.org/en
The first resolution emphasizes building a universal culture of compliance with IHL, urging states to take concrete action at national and global levels to uphold the rules of war. The second addresses the emerging threats posed by malicious information and communication technologies, or ICTs, activities in armed conflict, underscoring the necessity of protecting civilians from these new risks. Together, these resolutions present a significant opportunity to safeguard civilian lives, both on the physical battlefield and in the evolving landscape of cyber and digital threats.
IHL sets essential limits on warfare. Its effectiveness hinges on more than paper commitments; it requires tangible actions. Updating national laws, training armed forces, ratifying treaties, and strengthening national IHL bodies are all vital steps to keep IHL relevant and effective in today’s complex conflicts.
States must commit at the highest levels to proactively working with warring parties to end IHL violations. Upholding obligations such as responsible arms transfers to ensure all states and parties to armed conflict comply with IHL is crucial for reestablishing IHL’s authority amid today’s challenges.
Addressing the dangers of modern warfare in the digital age
The rise of digital technologies in conflict zones introduces new, insidious risks to civilian safety. Cyber operations can disrupt critical infrastructure, expose sensitive data, and spread harmful information. By addressing risks stemming from ICT activities in armed conflict, the second resolution highlights IHL's adaptability and affirms that digital operations must comply with IHL to avoid civilian harms. This commitment signals a collective effort by states to ensure protections extend into cyberspace.
Respect the Rules of War campaign
The Respect the Rules of War campaign mustered public support for States attending the 34th Red Cross Red Crescent International Conference to endorse a resolution on fostering a universal culture of compliance with international humanitarian law.
Featuring six powerful video interviews of individuals uncovering how IHL compliance affected their life, the campaign reasserted the rules’ relevance. Over 40,000 people across 76 countries responded to an online poll on the rules of war they believed leaders should prioritize.
Together, these resolutions reflect a renewed global determination to protect civilians from both physical and digital harm, underscoring that the rules of war remain as relevant today as when they were first established. ICRC, in partnership with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is prioritizing the implementation of these resolutions, advocating for effective action to safeguard human dignity wherever conflict occurs.
All resolutions were adopted by consensus, reflecting the movement’s commitment to multilateralism and inclusive diplomacy. The Spanish Red Cross’ statement, on behalf of 74 national societies and 68 states, underscored the universal obligation to respect and ensure respect for IHL, demonstrating the power of collective action.
Redoubling efforts in the face of growing human suffering
Seventy-five years after the establishment of the Geneva Conventions, unprecedented threats jeopardize the principles that protect civilians in war. High-profile crises in Ukraine, Yemen, Gaza, Ethiopia, and Sudan serve as grim reminders of the urgent need to reinvest in political solutions, while long-lasting crises in the Central African Republic, Myanmar, or the Sahel, remind us that most conflicts take place as the rest of the world looks away. But as long as conflicts continue to rage, respect for humanitarian law is vital to prevent and mitigate suffering on the ground.
Our mission to uphold IHL is not theoretical; it has a real impact. Every day, across the world, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement witnesses the power of IHL to save lives, reunite families and reduce suffering. These are advances that humanity cannot afford to lose. Respect for IHL is not a passive choice but a moral and legal imperative, enshrined in our universal duty to limit the consequences of war.
As we move forward, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will continue to hold states to account, rallying our global network to advocate for these resolutions’ implementation. The call is clear and urgent: uphold IHL to protect those who suffer most in war. These resolutions are not merely statements of principle; they represent a global commitment to renew a culture of compliance with the rules of war. Even in the digital age, the protection of human life and dignity must remain paramount.
Learn more about ICRC’s work here.
About the author
Pierre Krähenbühl
Pierre Krähenbühl has been the director-general of the International Committee of the Red Cross since April 2024, steering the organization's global humanitarian activities and its 18,000 staff members in more than 100 countries. With over 30 years in the sector, he has held senior roles, including director of operations (2002–2014) and personal adviser to the ICRC president. He has extensive experience in conflict zones across multiple continents. Krähenbühl holds a master’s in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.
