International humanitarian law

International humanitarian law — also known as the rules of war — applies to armed conflicts. It protects people who aren’t directly involved and restricts what those involved in armed conflicts can do. 

Humanitarian law basics 

The rules of war are universal. The Geneva Conventions — the foundation of humanitarian law — have been ratified by all 196 states. Very few international treaties have this level of support.

Everyone fighting a conflict needs to respect humanitarian law – both governmental forces and non-State armed groups. While all these laws apply to international conflicts, only some apply to armed domestic conflicts. Humanitarian law doesn’t regulate whether a State may use force.

The rules of war

1. Protect people who aren’t fighting, such as civilians, medical personnel, and aid workers. 
2. Protect people who can’t fight anymore, like an injured soldier or a detained person. 
3. Ban targeting civilians – doing so is a war crime.
4. Recognise that civilians have the right to be protected from the dangers of war and receive the help they need. Parties to a conflict must do everything they can to avoid harming civilians and their houses – or destroying their means of survival. This includes water sources, crops, and livestock. 
5. Protect sick and wounded people. They have the right to be cared for, regardless of the side they’re on. 
6. Protect medical workers, medical vehicles, and hospitals dedicated to humanitarian work. They can’t be attacked. 
7. Ban torture and degrading treatment of detained people. 
8. Protect detained people. They have the right to receive food and water and be allowed to communicate with their loved ones. 
9. Limit the weapons and tactics that can be used in war to avoid unnecessary suffering. 
10. Ban rape and other forms of sexual violence as a tactic in armed conflicts. 

Read our guide for journalists

What are the rules of war?