A History of Violence

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-67
Author(s):  
Cédric Cotter ◽  
Ellen Policinski
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Academic Journal ◽  
Cambridge University ◽  
History Of ◽  
Trends Over Time ◽  
The Law ◽  
Over Time

The International Review of the Red Cross, an academic journal produced by the International Committee of the Red Cross (icrc) and published by Cambridge University Press, traces its origins back more than 150 years. Throughout its existence, the publication has featured international humanitarian law (ihl) prominently. Because of this, it is possible to trace how the icrc was communicating publicly about ihl since 1869, allowing researchers to draw conclusions about how that body of law has evolved. In this article, the authors divide the history of the Review into five time periods, looking at trends over time as ihl was established as a body of law, was expanded to address trends in the ways war was waged, was disseminated and promoted to the international community, and how it is interpreted in light of current conflicts. Based on the way the law has been represented in the Review, the authors draw conclusions about the evolution of the law itself over time, and lessons this may provide for those who seek to influence the future development of the law regulating armed conflict.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and the promotion of international humanitarian law: Looking back, looking forward

2014 ◽  
Vol 96 (895-896) ◽  
pp. 817-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Harroff-Tavel
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Simple Task ◽  
The Past ◽  
Globalizing World ◽  
History Of ◽  
Forms Of Violence ◽  
Do So

AbstractIn a globalizing world marked by geopolitical upheaval, unprecedented threats to human security, new forms of violence and technological revolutions, particularly in the area of information technology, it is no simple task to raise awareness of international humanitarian law (IHL) applicable to armed conflict and ensure that warring parties comply with this body of law. This article traces the history of the International Committee of the Red Cross's (ICRC) work in promoting IHL from 1864 to the present, juxtaposing this history with important events in international relations and with the organization's (sometimes traumatizing) experiences that ultimately gave rise to innovative programmes. The article summarizes lively debates that took place at the ICRC around such topics as the place of ethics in the promotion of IHL, respect for cultural diversity in the various methods used to promote this body of law, and how much attention should be devoted to youth – as well as the most effective way to do so. The author concludes by sharing her personal views on the best way to promote IHL in the future by drawing on the lessons of the past.

Reflections on the development of the Movement and international humanitarian law through the lens of the ICRC Library's Heritage Collection

2018 ◽  
Vol 100 (907-909) ◽  
pp. 143-163
Author(s):  
Ismaël Raboud ◽  
Matthieu Niederhauser ◽  
Charlotte Mohr
Keyword(s):  
Geneva Convention ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Action ◽  
The First World War ◽  
History Of ◽  
War Victims ◽  
The Way

AbstractThe International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Library was first created at the initiative of the ICRC's co-founder and president, Gustave Moynier. By the end of the nineteenth century, it had become a specialized documentation centre with comprehensive collections on the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, international humanitarian law (IHL) and relief to war victims, keeping track of the latest legal debates and technological innovations in the fields related to the ICRC's activities. The publications collected by the Library until the end of the First World War form a rich collection of almost 4,000 documents now known as the ancien fonds, the Library's Heritage Collection.Direct witness to the birth of an international humanitarian movement and of IHL, the Heritage Collection contains the era's most important publications related to the development of humanitarian action for war victims, from the first edition of Henry Dunant's groundbreaking Un souvenir de Solférino to the first mission reports of ICRC delegates and the handwritten minutes of the Diplomatic Conference that led to the adoption of the 1864 Geneva Convention. This article looks at the way this unique collection of documents retraces the history of the ICRC during its first decades of existence and documents its original preoccupations and operations, highlighting the most noteworthy items of the Collection along the way.

scholarly journals Foreword: Global and Regional Perspectives on International Humanitarian Law

2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Alberto Costi
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
International Committee ◽  
International Community ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Significant Events ◽  
History Of

This article serves as a foreword to this special issue of the Victoria University of Wellington Law Review which brings together a number of global and regional perspectives on international law ('IHL') in commemoration of some of the most significant events marking the emergence and development of what is still a relatively recent yet dynamic branch of international law. The author provides a brief history of the international community and the contributions of Henry Dunant of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The article then provides a brief overview of the papers presented in this issue, noting that the papers reflect on various aspects of a body of law in constant evolution, as well as acknowledging the challenges associated with the implementation of IHL.  

A brief history of the International Review of the Red Cross

2018 ◽  
Vol 100 (907-909) ◽  
pp. 23-36
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
International Review ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
The Past ◽  
Look Back ◽  
The Future ◽  
History Of ◽  
Precious Resource

The International Review of the Red Cross has gone through many evolutions since it was first published in October 1869. All told, it has had sixteen editors-in-chief from diverse professional backgrounds, as well as many managing editors, thematic editors, editorial assistants and others, all working to support the production, promotion and distribution of the journal. It is now the oldest publication devoted to international humanitarian law (IHL), policy and action. Its collection represents a precious resource on the history of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement), and on the development of humanitarian law and action at large. The Review continues to contribute significantly to these fields, so it is worthwhile to look back at the journal's role in the past to see how it has evolved and reflect on where it is now, and where it may go in the future.

scholarly journals Tutti Fratelli? Perspectives and Challenges for International Humanitarian Law

2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Kenneth J Keith
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Peace Agreements ◽  
The Hague ◽  
The Law ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
And Training

This article is based on addresses given in The Hague, Wellington and Auckland in 2009 to mark the 150th anniversary of the beginnings of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Out of a dreadful day of war, the Battle of Solferino, was born a great humanitarian institution which later became the International Committee of the Red Cross. The author discusses seven matters from the early years of the organisation: first was the importance of simple humanity; second was the principle of non-discrimination; third was a positive obligation to collect and care for the wounded and sick; fourth was about the rights and responsibilities of the individuals involved in warfare; fifth was the importance of getting peace agreements before hostilities began; sixth was establishing of national societies for the relief for the wounded before the same; and finally, the law was inherently humanitarian in nature. The author then discusses the implementation of international humanitarian law, arguing for two main methods: education and training programmes, and compliance through negotiation with governments. The author stresses the importance of adhering to laws during times of warfare by emphasising the values on which the law is based. 

The ICRC Library goes digital

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Reference Library ◽  
Parallel Development ◽  
Humanitarian Action ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Past

The ICRC Library is home to unique collections retracing the parallel development of humanitarian action and law during the past 150+ years. With the core of these collections now digitized, this reference library on international humanitarian law (IHL) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a resource available to all, anytime, anywhere.

Bridging the Accountability Gap

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-597
Author(s):  
Hannes Jöbstl
Keyword(s):  
War Crimes ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Customary Law ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Penal Sanctions ◽  
Accountability Gap ◽  
Alternative Solutions

Abstract During non-international armed conflict, war crimes often go unpunished in areas where state authorities are unable to enforce the law. While states are under a customary law obligation to investigate and prosecute war crimes committed on their territory or by their nationals, the Customary International Humanitarian Law Study of the International Committee of the Red Cross has not found that this obligation extends to armed non-state actors (ANSAs). Nevertheless, command responsibility requires the individual commander to punish their forces in case war crimes have been committed and a growing amount of state practice demanding similar commitments — both legally and politically — from these actors as such can be observed over the past two decades. Indeed, ANSAs routinely impose penal sanctions onto their subordinates and often establish judicial structures in order to do so. This article argues that whereas ANSAs should be under some form of obligation to ensure accountability, alternative solutions to makeshift courts and penal proceedings might be better suited to prevent impunity and maintain fair trial guarantees.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document