@thodsm.bsky.social
Humanitarian law & policy • Deputy Head of Legal Division & Head of Support @ICRC.org • #IHL and #ICRC actions
⚖️We're delighted to co-host a joint symposium with @justsecurity.org and @ejiltalk.bsky.social on the updated @icrc.org Commentary on the GC IV.
Following 5 years of research, it consolidates 70+ years of law and practice to guide civilian protection today.
Read more → bit.ly/3OiPkOU
The harder it is, the more urgent it becomes.
The Global #IHL Initiative announces that the High-Level Conference on Humanity in War will take place in Jordan Q4 2026.
Leaders must show political courage to defend the rules of war.
icrc.org/en/statement/g…
#GenevaConventions
📢 Attention researchers and students! Just because your favorite AI chatbot 🤖 says something, doesn’t mean it’s true! This applies to #IHL and #ICRC sources too. Stay critical and informed! More info 👇 Please check and share widely! #ScientificResearch #SearchEthics #Reliability #SourceCheck
07.01.2026 11:08 — 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
How international humanitarian law protects the dead & their families during and after armed conflicts + key practical recommendations for States and parties to conflict. #IHL
Important article by my colleagues Helen Obregón & @ximenalondono.bsky.social:
🏥 Even when #hospitals aren’t attacked, supply restrictions can quietly shut them down.
Today’s post looks at what #IHL requires to keep medical facilities functioning, from allowing medical consignments to enabling essential services.
Read more: bit.ly/4o97XkB
“What kind of warfare are we prepared to accept?”
@ICRC
President warns that explosive weapons with wide-area effects should be avoided in populated areas. Civilian harm is predictable — and preventable.
🔗 icrc.org/en/statement...
#EWIPA #IHL #ProtectionOfCivilians #UrbanWarfare
For the next two days, 900 families across 50 countries will gather to transform pain into purpose in the International Conference for Families of Missing Persons.
Learn more here: missingpersons.icrc.org/events/watch...
Under the rules of war, parties to conflicts must help families find answers about missing loved ones.
@corduladroege.bsky.social, ICRC's chief legal officer, explains what this means in practical terms for families 👇🏽
The use of artificial intelligence #AI in armed conflict detention is no longer a distant prospect. To be compliant with international humanitarian law #IHL, it must remain human-centred and follow clear principles and safeguards.
13.11.2025 19:47 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0Sudan: Leaders must now show political courage to stop the killing and ensure that parties to the conflict return to the rules of war. All states have the obligation not only to uphold international humanitarian law in their own conduct but also to ensure that others do the same.
02.11.2025 13:08 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
📅 The “From Hackers to Tech Companies: IHL and the Involvement of Civilians in ICT Activities in Armed Conflict” event is happening next week!
Join this interactive expert discussion on key legal questions to limit civilian involvement & prevent IHL violations.
🔗 Register now → bit.ly/48EZ0ev
The fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are practical tools necessary to carry out our humanitarian mission.
States parties to the Geneva Conventions are bound at all times to respect our adherence to these Principles.
blogs.icrc.org/law-and-poli...
📢Watch here the launch of the progress report of the Global initiative to galvanize political commitment for international humanitarian law - the product of consultations with 130 states, expert meetings and events around the world:
#IHL
youtube.com/live/-SzsS0NHG… via @YouTube
"We know that the families won't give up on their loved ones, and neither will we – we are prepared to fulfil our role for as long as it takes, and as agreed by the parties. It is the responsibility of the parties to search for, collect, and evacuate human remains. The parties must endeavor to facilitate the return of the remains of the deceased to their families. The ICRC can fulfil its functions as a neutral intermediary only through the cooperation of all actors, and within the framework of the current agreement.”
Israel and the Occupied Territories | Last night, we facilitated the transfer of four deceased hostages to Israeli authorities.
Our teams also facilitated the transfer of 45 deceased Palestinians to Gaza.
Read more: ms.spr.ly/63326s4Tdn
Pierre Krähenbühl: A Gaza, "un niveau de destruction jamais vu en 30 ans d'humanitaire" www.rts.ch/info/monde/2...
14.10.2025 20:42 — 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
We urge the dignified management of the deceased as we continue the operations to facilitate the transfer of human remains as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Families grieving the loss of their loved ones have already endured unimaginable pain. All parties must ensure that the return of human remains is done under dignified conditions, and uphold dignity and humanity. We call on the parties and the mediators to ensure the agreement is faithfully applied and the remains of the deceased are returned to grieving families. It is a pivotal task and an essential element for the full implementation of the agreement.
We urge the dignified management of the deceased as we continue the operations to facilitate the transfer of human remains as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel & Hamas.
Families grieving the loss of their loved ones have already endured unimaginable pain.
ms.spr.ly/63322sNSsC
Today, we facilitated the safe return of 20 hostages to Israeli authorities and 1,809 Palestinian detainees to Gaza and the West Bank. Our teams also transferred the remains of four deceased hostages to Israeli authorities. We stand ready to further support the transfer of remains of the deceased, as per the agreement between the parties. Relevant actors must abide by their commitments to uphold human dignity, and end the pain and suffering endured by so many.
Today, we facilitated the safe return of 20 hostages to Israeli authorities & 1,809 Palestinian detainees to Gaza and the West Bank.
We call for the continued implementation of the agreement to allow families to receive their loved ones for dignified burial.
Read more: www.icrc.org/en/news-rele...
The @icrc.org has started a multi-phase complex operation to facilitate the release and transfer of hostages and detainees as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, at the request of the parties. It is crucial to reuniting separated families.
www.icrc.org/en/news...
📢 Call for Papers “Before War: Prepare to Comply with IHL”
The #IRRC welcomes anyone interested in submitting a proposal by 1 December 2025, exploring preparedness during peacetime for compliance with #IHL
Submit your abstract: bit.ly/4811ow1
@icrc.org #Research
And learn about some overarching conflict trends by watching this short video clip:
02.10.2025 08:05 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0You want to know more? Read our Opinion Paper on how is the term "armed conflict" defined in international humanitarian law?
02.10.2025 08:05 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
What is the legal definition of an "armed conflict"? This is more than theory; answer to this question impacts real lives and responsibilities for warring parties, states and non-state armed groups.
Watch this explainer by @corduladroege.bsky.social
You can find information on the Global Initiative to galvanise political commitment for #IHL at www.upholdhumanityinwar.org/documentation, including
✅ Workstreams
✅ Next events and consultations
✅ Statements from states in previous consultations
In the face of egregious and widespread violations of international humanitarian law in conflicts around the world, we need to act. Leaders of 🇿🇦🇧🇷🇨🇳🇫🇷🇯🇴🇰🇿 together with @ICRC urge States and the international community to uphold the #GenevaConevntions
www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-fo...
This blog written with the brilliant Jelena Nikolic and @trodenhauser.bsky.social tries to provide some answers.
Self-defense groups play an important role in today’s conflicts. This raises serious risks.
What are the legal obligations coming with the use of self-defense groups by parties to armed conflict, or when they act independently?
How to ensure respect for IHL and better protection of civilians?
"Dignity in death": New article on #IHL & protection of the dead in armed conflicts, by my @icrc.org colleagues @ximenalondono.bsky.social & @helenobregon.bsky.social, in the International Review of the Red Cross.
18.09.2025 07:41 — 👍 9 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
Nasser Medical Complex (NMC) is one of the last major hospitals still operating in southern Gaza, and provides critical and specialized medical care to thousands of patients in an area where few medical facilities remain amid ongoing hostilities. For a health facility like NMC to be damaged in a strike on Monday morning, and for medical personnel, journalists, patients and first responders to be killed and injured as a result of this, is unacceptable. Such strikes cause death and destruction, and jeopardize vital lifelines for patients who have few sanctuaries left. NMC is a referral hospital for the Red Cross Field Hospital and other medical units. It is crucial to guarantee its continued operation and accessibility for both medical personnel and patients. We reiterate that under international humanitarian law, medical facilities, civilians, and first responders must be respected and protected. All feasible steps must be taken to support their work and ensure their safety. We urgently call for the respect and protection of those who play essential roles in safeguarding life and dignity amidst armed conflict.
📍Gaza | It is unacceptable for a health facility like Nasser Medical Complex to be damaged in a strike and for medical personnel, journalists, patients & first responders to be killed and injured.
Medical facilities, civilians, journalists & first responders must be protected.
“If states invest in defence, they must also budget for international humanitarian law. (…) IHL is only as strong as leaders’ will to uphold it"
@icrc.org President www.icrc.org/en/news...
We welcome the recent ceasefire announced by Thailand and Cambodia, and we reiterate our readiness to conduct further detainee visits. The announcement follows recent hostilities along the countries’ joint border that resulted in deaths, injuries, displacement of persons, and damage to key infrastructure. The ceasefire offers some respite to those affected by the hostilities, which saw families flee their homes, lose loved ones, and access to necessities. We are ready to support both nations to carry out similar future detainee visits and act as a neutral intermediary in any planned releases. Also, we stand ready to scale up our support as needed and urge continued respect for IHL, which includes access to persons detained in relation to the conflict.
We welcome the recent ceasefire announced by Thailand and Cambodia, and we reiterate our readiness to conduct further detainee visits.
This week, our team was able to visit 18 Cambodian POWs detained in Thailand.
We stand ready to continue supporting.
Read more: ms.spr.ly/63329sOyyl
