International Humanitarian Law: Laws of Armed Conflict and the Protection of Civilians

Abstract

IHL has value in determining the process of dealing with conflicts and also in the preservation of dignity and the rights of individuals who experience wars. Through the concept of humanity, necessity, proportionality, and distinction, the IHL attempts to administer the needs of the civilians as well as those taken in war and the injured and the restrictions of the ways wars can be waged. Although its significance cannot be ignored, IHL is aggravated by numerous issues, including its breaches by the actors of all natures, extreme sophistication of the war nowadays, and the difficulty to make the law operational. It takes into account the central provisions of IHL, significant documents like the Geneva Conventions and guarantees the safety of citizens in the situation of warfare. Moreover, it also examines some of the most frequently occurring breaches of IHL such as the attack of anyone, and not necessarily military objects, with weapons prohibited, and the attack of providers of humanitarian assistance with the repercussions which take place in conflicts nowadays. It also highlights how complicated it is to ensure that IHL is respected and the need to find more powerful mechanisms to make individuals accountable such as through the action of international courts, national legislation and through greater extension of universal jurisdiction. The last part of the article provides solutions to better the IHL and manage the revolution underway in warfare and assist humanitarian organizations, as well as protect the human beings who are in greatest danger. It keeps to the argument that more efforts need to be made through increased cooperation to protect better the civilians and to apply more the IHL requirements in how conflicts are conducted presently.