Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC)

Cordula Droege, chief legal officer and head of the legal division of the International Committee of the Red Cross, assesses the laws of war.

International law must better understand and account for the realities of civilian life in territory under armed group control.

Compliance with international humanitarian law must be about fulfilling its humanitarian purpose, not skirting its limits.

The tactic adds to evidence of intent to kill civilians through targeted or indiscriminate attacks, including on aid workers and institutions.

Nine factors, considered in their totality, would provide a more nuanced understanding of jus ad bellum proportionality and assist States in identifying specific concerns with…

Humanitarian notification has failed in Gaza. Better documentation and response systems can protect humanitarian actors and improve accountability.

While legislating is traditionally seen as a role of the State, armed groups impose “rebel law” over ~64 million people in contested regions.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of the Armed Groups and International Law Symposium, building on the volume edited by Katharine Fortin and Ezequiel Heffes. During international…

Learn how cases related to the conflict develop international jurisprudence, including for enforcing State accountability.

Track how States for the first time addressed proposals to better integrate gender justice and the needs of victims and survivors.

A right to rebellion offers a way to recognize grievances and deescalate the violence of armed groups, and affirms the place of international law in holding States to account for…

Unpacking a new ICRC report outlining key challenges with responsible use of AI in military decision-making.