International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

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A child stands near two US army vehicles, which carry American flags. Nearby is a male American military officer.

How the FY23 NDAA Can Strengthen Oversight and Transparency of U.S. Security Assistance and Civilian Harm (Part II)

The draft NDAA contains a number of important provisions for preventing and responding to civilian harm.
An Afghan woman and man walk with children along an airplane strip in the night.

The World Should Protect Afghan Refugees Fleeing the Taliban’s Oppression

The international community must urgently do more to help Afghan refugees.
A child stands near two US army vehicles, which carry American flags. Nearby is a male American military officer.

How the FY23 NDAA Can Strengthen U.S. Efforts to Prevent and Respond to Civilian Harm (Part I)

Overhauling U.S. policies for preventing and responding to civilian harm will require sustained engagement from Congress.

Let’s Talk About Compliance with International Humanitarian Law

What the empirics say about how States and non-State actors actually behave on the battlefield and under what conditions their compliance with humanitarian law changes.
A multi-purpose weapon robot from US Darley Defense makes his way at the Eurosatory international land and airland defence and security trade fair, in Villepinte, a northern suburb of Paris, on June 13, 2022. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP) (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Gendering the Legal Review of New Means and Methods of Warfare

Weapons' use and impact on civilians and combatants varies across genders - meaning States must undertake gender-sensitive reviews of new weapons.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 01: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks from the Blue Room balcony of the White House on August 1, 2022 in Washington, DC. Biden announced that over the weekend, U.S. forces launched an airstrike in Afghanistan that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri. Zawahiri, 71, took over leadership of al-Qaeda in 2011, shortly after American forces killed Osama bin Laden. The president said there were no civilian casualties. (Photo by Jim Watson-Pool/Getty Images)

What Was the International Legal Basis for the Strike on al-Zawahiri?

Serious questions need to be addressed in order to establish that both the killing of Zawahiri, and the use of force against Afghanistan, were not violations of international law.
Tamil members of Sri Lanka's parliament hold placards during a demonstration outside the President’s office in Colombo on February 24, 2022, to protest against the acquisition of their land in northern and eastern regions under the guise of protecting archeological sites. They hold signs in a variety of languages. One reads, “Stop the land grab! of Tamils under the guise of Mahaweli”

Sri Lanka’s Real Reckoning is Yet to Come

Accountability for atrocities against Tamils and curbing Sinhala Buddhist nationalism are key to the island’s stability and prosperity.
Children look on as smoke billows above the residential area following airstrikes of the Saudi-led coalition targeting Houthi-held military positions on March 07, 2021 in Sana'a, Yemen.

Assessing Civilian Casualties Linked to U.S.-Made Weapons in Yemen

Mechanisms are needed to assess civilian harm resulting from U.S. arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
Military members stand during rescue and search operations in front of a damaged facade of a hit by shelling apartment building on June 26, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Protecting Civilians from Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas: A New Political Declaration

On June 17, states gathered at the United Nations (U.N.) in Geneva to discuss the final draft of a potentially ground-breaking political declaration that sets new and express standards…
Internally displaced people from the Kibumba area near the North Kivu city of Goma take refuge on May 25, 2022 at the Kunyaruchinya school trying to shelter from the ongoing clashes between the Congolese Army and the M23 rebels. People gather in a field in front of the buildings, going about activities of daily life.

New Armed Conflict in DR Congo: A Renewed Call for Civilian Protection

Recent escalation of violence in eastern DRC has already displaced over 150,000 civilians and killed at least 23.
People formerly detained in relation to the conflict in Yemen are transported back to their region of origin or to their home countries by the ICRC. Former detainees get off the plane chartered by the ICRC and reunite with family members.

Taking Action, Not Sides: The Benefits of Humanitarian Neutrality in War

"I argued that it was immoral to remain neutral when faced with genocide and war crimes. .... I was not right, as I realized a few years later while working for the ICRC."

Hidden In Plain Sight: US Nonprofits As Drivers of Illegal Israeli Settlements

US NGOs direct tax deductible contributions to organizations engaged in building settlements on occupied territory.
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