What is it?
International humanitarian law (IHL) is a set of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict. It lays out the responsibilities of states and non-state armed groups during an armed conflict.
It requires, among other things:
- the rapid and unimpeded passage for humanitarian aid during armed conflicts
- the protection of civilians (including humanitarian workers)
- the protection of healthcare
- the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population
Why is this important?
The rules are designed to protect persons who do not, or no longer, take part in the fighting, including:
- civilians
- medics
- aid workers
- wounded
- sick and shipwrecked troops
- prisoners of war or other detainees
It also imposes limits on the means and methods of warfare (for instance, the use of certain weapons).
While many parts of IHL are now accepted as international customary law (i.e., general practice, accepted as law and which is independent of treaty law), increasingly it is violated by warring parties, through methods such as:
- attacks to hospitals and schools
- attacks against humanitarian and medical workers
- denial of access to lifesaving humanitarian aid
- attacks against civilians
- recruitment and use of child soldiers
- rape and other sexual violence
Such violence affects civilians and prevents millions of people from receiving life-saving assistance.
These violations continue to be among the most critical challenges for IHL.
How are we helping?
As most humanitarian action takes place in areas of armed conflicts, violations of IHL greatly hinder the EU's ability to fulfil its humanitarian aid objectives of meeting the needs of those affected, and also endanger the security of EU humanitarian partners.
Therefore, as one of the world’s largest humanitarian donors, the EU has always been firmly committed to promoting compliance with IHL.
Timeline
- 2024
In 2024, the EU adopted the revised Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict aimed at protecting children from the effects of armed conflict and ensuring accountability for crimes against them.
- 2021
In March 2021, the Commission adopted a Communication on the EU's humanitarian action: new challenges, same principles. It stresses how important it is for the EU to continue to put the promotion and application of IHL consistently at the heart of its external action.
- 2018
EU started to publish annual reports on how the guidelines were being implemented, highlighting the wide-ranging measures the EU carries out in support of IHL. Every year since then, the EU has continued to publish such reports.
- 2009
The guidelines on promoting compliance with the IHL were updated. In 2009, the EU issued guidelines on promoting compliance with IHL.
- 2005
A third additional protocol to the Geneva Conventions was adopted, supplementing the Geneva Conventions regarding an additional distinctive emblem.
- 1977
2 additional protocols to the Geneva Conventions were adopted: 1977 and 2005 Additional Protocols, supplementing the Geneva Conventions regarding the rules on the conduct of hostilities and the rules applicable to non-international armed conflicts.
- 1949
The Four Geneva Conventions were adopted, constituting the core treaties of international humanitarian law.
The EU is actively committed to promoting compliance with IHL through advocacy, including:
- advocacy in support of IHL through multilateral forums, dedicated public events (e.g., European Humanitarian Forum), and dialogue with other donors and partner organisations
- advocacy for compliance with IHL in specific armed conflicts
- thematic advocacy linked to IHL (e.g. children and armed conflict, protecting education facilities from attack, protecting humanitarian and medical workers during armed conflicts, protecting civilian infrastructure)
Funding partners to disseminate IHL knowledge and advocacy in conflict-affected countries (e.g., Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Ethiopia, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Colombia, and Ukraine).
This also includes supporting engagement with armed groups and de facto authorities on promoting IHL and concrete commitments around protecting civilian infrastructure and humanitarian access.
In addition, we fund activities aimed at increasing the capacities of humanitarian workers in advocating for IHL.
In 2022, the EU launched a 3-year pilot programmatic partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross on preventing IHL violations.
Facts & figures
IHL is based on the 1949 Four Geneva Conventions on protecting civilians in conflict and the 1977 and 2005 Additional Protocols.
All 27 EU member countries have ratified the 4 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.
IHL violations have significantly increased in the past 10 years.
Over the past years, the risk of humanitarians and medical workers being attacked has increased. 2024 was the deadliest year ever for aid workers.
Related information
- Humanitarian Principles
- World Humanitarian Day
- World Humanitarian Summit
- Report on the EU guidelines on promoting compliance with international humanitarian law - July 2025
- Report on the EU guidelines on promoting compliance with international humanitarian law - July 2024
Report on the EU guidelines on promoting compliance with international humanitarian law - July 2023