IHL for humanitarians

International humanitarian law (IHL), also known as the laws of war, is a legal framework that protects persons who are not, or are no longer, participating in hostilities. This includes humanitarians, both because of their civilian status and their special humanitarian status.

Australia has an active and reputable humanitarian sector that is guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence. It encompasses a diverse range of humanitarian organisations which work to prevent or alleviate human suffering and deliver assistance to those in need globally, particularly during times of war.

IHL contains many legal rights and obligations relating to the provision of impartial humanitarian assistance and health care, making IHL a valuable tool for humanitarian organisations and practitioners operating in conflict settings.

Like all National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world, Australian Red Cross has a duty to disseminate IHL and improve understanding and respect for these laws.

We are actively seeking ways to help Australian humanitarian organisations and practitioners understand and leverage IHL and embed it appropriately in organisational policies and practices. We want to engage with all Australian humanitarian organisations and practitioners with operations in conflict affected areas and look forward to developing new resources for humanitarian organisations to adopt and demonstrate best practice.

For more information, please contact Claire Cayzer, Legal Adviser, International Humanitarian Law.

Research project

The value and impact of IHL knowledge and training in the Australian humanitarian sector

Since 2019, Australian Red Cross has been progressing research to learn more about the value and impact of IHL knowledge and training within the Australian humanitarian sector.

We are now recruiting humanitarians to join our longitudinal study relating to the value and impact of IHL knowledge and training.

Australian Red Cross is collaborating with the Centre for Humanitarian Leadership at Deakin University to launch an academic study to determine how IHL knowledge can be better leveraged by Australian humanitarians and humanitarian organisations.

We will shortly commence a three-year study to explore the value of IHL training for people in all roles in the humanitarian sector.

The study will seek to map the knowledge and use of IHL by humanitarians over three years. Every six months, study participants will respond to surveys relating to their current IHL knowledge levels and use of IHL. Study participants will be given access to a range of IHL training opportunities that will be tailored for Australian humanitarians to ensure they meet the minimum recommended IHL knowledge level for their job profile.

We are now recruiting humanitarians to join this study. We are looking for humanitarians in leadership, governance, strategy, policy, human resources, people and culture, communications, fundraising, advocacy, government relations, Australian and international programs, finance, legal, partnerships, learning and development, monitoring and evaluation, and other roles. To get involved in this research as a study participant or if you would simply like to know about the project, please complete this form or email Claire Cayzer, Legal Adviser.

For insight into our earlier research, read ‘Gaining Traction: Measuring the Impact of IHL Training’. The key findings of this report were, among other things, that IHL training can be linked to improved humanitarian outcomes and that awareness of IHL and the humanitarian principles mitigates risks in the field.

Related forms:

• IHL Research – Flyer
• Australian Red Cross IHL Research Privacy Collection Notice
• Plain Language Form – Surveys
• Consent Form – Surveys
• Plain Language Form – Interviews
• Consent Form – Interviews

IHL Toolkit for Humanitarians

IHL Handbook for Humanitarians and Health Professionals

IHL Handbook for Humanitarians and Health Professionals | This handbook summarises the key principles, protections, and prohibitions in IHL that are relevant to humanitarians, health professionals, and humanitarian action in situations where IHL applies. Australian Red Cross has prepared this handbook to contribute to a greater knowledge of IHL among Australian humanitarians and health professionals, enabling them to better leverage these laws for humanitarian purposes.

IHL Training for Humanitarians

International Law and Humanitarian Action
This three-day in-person course, delivered in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force Indo-Pacific Centre for Military Law (IPCML), is designed for a mixed audience of Humanitarian, Australian Defence Force, and Government participants.

The course examines the key bodies of international law that regulate armed conflict and how these bodies of law can be used by practitioners, including in relation to:

• the application of international humanitarian law;
• protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure;
• forced displacement;
• protection of refugees and internally displaced persons;
• civil-military interaction; and
• accountability for violations of international law.

The course combines scenario-based learning, panel discussions, workshops, and expert presentations by Australian Red Cross, the Australian Defence Force, academics and NGOs. It provides participants with accessible information to inform their work, making them aware of their own rights and obligations under international law, as well as those of other actors.

When: 11-13 December 2024
Where: DFAT Diplomatic Academy (Level 1, 44 Sydney Avenue, Barton, Canberra)
Cost: Course is provided at no cost to humanitarian sector participants (travel and accommodation costs must be met by participants).
Enquiries: Claire Cayzer, ccayzer@redcross.org.au

Humanitarian professionals are invited to apply to attend the December 2024 ILHA course in Canberra by completing this application form by Sunday, 13 Oct 2024.

Guidance for Humanitarian Organisations

Principles for IHL Best Practice
Australian Red Cross has identified a set of Principles for IHL Best Practice that we believe promote better capability, protection, and risk mitigation for humanitarian and development organisations working in insecure environments, including armed conflict. We are developing a range of resources to help organisations adopt and implement similar principles.

IHL Knowledge Framework
In 2022, an IHL Knowledge Framework tool was published which recommends an IHL knowledge level for key roles in the humanitarian sector. In 2023, a baseline survey of the humanitarian sector was conducted to better understand what is known about IHL and how it is used by Australian humanitarians. These resources can be used to ensure staff in the humanitarian sector have the necessary knowledge and skills to leverage IHL to enhance humanitarian outcomes and reduce organisational risks.

Other IHL publications relating to IHL and the Australian humanitarian sector

• 2022 IHL Symposium – Summary Report
• 2019 Humanitarian Access and International Law: Symposium report
• International Humanitarian Law in Context Webinars: Afghanistan - Summary Report