AN APPRAISAL OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

Abstract

International Humanitarian Law is a branch of public international law. It is that portion of international law which is inspired by considerations of humanity. It aims to minimize the suffering of those not, or no longer, taking part in hostilities  and  to  render  the  fighting  more  humane  by  restricting  the  use  of  barbaric  weapons  in  armed  conflict. Although the origins of contemporary International Humanitarian Law can be traced back to the nineteenth century, it  is  based  on  principles  and  practices  which  are  much  older.  The  two  principal  sources  of  International Humanitarian  Law  are  Hague  and  Geneva  Conventions,  the  former  setting  out  restrictions  on  the  means  and methods  of  warfare  and  the  latter  providing  protection  to certain  categories  of  vulnerable  persons.  It  is  generally accepted  that  a  large  portion  of  the  principles  permeating  International  Humanitarian  Law  reflect  customary international law and, in some cases, peremptory law (jus cogens). As such, it is binding on all States, irrespective of whether they have acceded to the relevant treaties or not. Using the doctrinal method, the paper concluded that although  International  Humanitarian  Law  has  made  a  difference  in  protecting  vulnerable  individuals  and restricting the means and methods of warfare, tragically, there are countless examples of violations of International Humanitarian Law in armed conflicts around the world and a number of other challenges still remain.