Live Q&As

Terrorist attacks are outlawed by a number of treaties and rules, including the Geneva Conventions and criminal laws. But IHL would only apply to terrorist attacks if these occur during an armed conflict, that is a war between 2 countries or  an internal armed conflict or civil war. Those who commit terrorist acts should be charged and prosecuted while being afforded due process.

Yes, please visit www.redcross.org/ehl for free lessons to include in the classroom. The Red Cross also offers free workshops for teachers who are interested in the rules of war. The Red Cross curriculum is currently being used in all 50 States. For more details, please write us at ehl@usa.redcross.org

The Geneva Conventions do not outlaw wars or the planning of wars. But the Conventions lay out rules to protect those who do not participate in the conflict (civilians) or no longer participate (prisoners, wounded, captured soldiers) and restrict the means and methods of warfare. To learn more visit www.redcross.org/ihl

Torture is never OK and is prohibited under the Geneva Conventions, the Convention against Torture and a host of other treaties to which the US is a party. Torture means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him information or a confession.

IHL can be enforced by domestic courts or by international courts like the ad hoc tribunals for the former Yugoslavia or Rwanda and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Our country has laws to ensure that anybody who commits a violation of IHL is prosecuted.

Thank you for your question. Civilians also need to know about the rules of war as voters and citizens that need to be engage in informed debates about these issues. 4 out of 5 youth expressed interest in learning more about these rules given their relevance. These issues touch many of us as 7 out of 10 youth said in our survey that they have a close friend or relative that is a veteran or serving in the armed forces.

Our country and our military have made huge contributions to the development of these rules throughout history, starting with the adoption of the Lieber Code commisioned by President Lincoln in the midst of the American Civil War. The Red Cross works very closely with our military. The military support and  uphold these rules and have worked closely with us in promoting our survey results.

The Geneva Conventions are universal and have been ratified by every single country in the world. You may be interested to know that Clara Barton, inspired by her tireless work during the American Civil War, advocated for our country to ratify the very first Geneva Convention of 1864.

We need rules to protect human dignity and the vulnerable in armed conflict. These include, women, children, the wounded, and captured soldiers. The rules aim to minimize human suffering through a delicate balancing act between military necessity and humanitarian considerations. Even wars have limits. 

No it is never legal to torture. The definition I provided is from the Convention against torture. In common article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which has universal application, it is prohibited to torture or to inflict cruel treatment or humiliating or degrading treatment.

The Geneva Conventions are like a code of conduct that we must adhere to in times of conflict regardless of whether the other side respects the rules or not. The Geneva Conventions reflect American and military values, and disciplined troops that follow the rules can better meet their military objectives while minimizing human suffering.

The on-going conflict in Lybia reminds us of the complex issues raised by war: the plight of civilians having to flee their villages, the impact on children, and so forth. Our Exploring Humanitarian Law curriculum can help high school teachers and their students explore these complex issues and dilemmas at www.redcross.org/ehl  

Yes, think of incidents of bullying or harrassement that can they place in our schools. We can start by teaching our youth about respect for human dignity and how we can take action to make a difference. There are lessons that will inspire you in Module 1 at www.redcross.org/ehl

Under the Geneva Conventions (ratified by all countries), a terrorist act can include the taking of hostages or deliberately terrorizing the civilian population. Deliberately targeting civilians during armed conflict is also prohibited under the Geneva Conventions.

As our survey shows, youth today seem to have little awareness of the rules of war but at the same time they are hungry for more information on global issues including the Geneva Convention. I find it heartening that the vast majority of young people are eager to learn and the Red Cross has teaching modules that have already been integrated in hundreds of schools around the country.

During the American Civil War, Clara Barton, who later founded the American Red Cross, applied humanitarian principles to her work on the battlefield. Inspired by these experiences, she later advocated for the U.S. Congress to adopt the first Geneva Convention.

The American Red Cross is entrusted with the responsibility of teaching the American public about the importance of these rules. Meanwhile, the United States government, as a party to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, is obligated to educate the military about international humanitarian law.

Our Red Cross curriculum Exploring Humanitarian Law is designed for youth as young as 13 years old.

The rules of international humanitarian law apply to both international and non-international armed conflicts. This is a body of law that evolves constantly. The Geneva Conventions were adopted in 1949 but their additional protocols were adopted in 1977 to address civil wars and internal conflicts. Learn more about these rules and how they apply to conflicts today at www.redcross.org/ihl

International Humanitarian Law, also called "jus in bello", is about the rules that apply in war, regardless of the reasons for the war. It is the UN Charter that regulates the use of force, or "jus ad bellum". Whether a war is legal or illegal or just doesn't have an impact on the applicability of IHL.

You can become an IHL instructor and teach classes in your community or you can promote the Exploring Humanitarian Law curriculum to local teachers or community college professors. Find out more and write to us at ihl@usa.redcross.org 

Civilians that unlawfully take up weapons are unprivileged belligerents. They can be prosecuted for these acts.

The principle of distinction is a pillar of international humanitarian law and fighters must strive to target only military personnel or military objectives. it is not easy to make those decisions in the fog of war but our troops are trained to uphold these rules. Military advisers are also present on the battlefield to inform targeting decisions.

International humanitarian law is at the foundation of the mission and history of the American Red Cross. One of our roles is to educate Americans about these rules and principles. We have a unique expertise in this subject, and as a neutral, impartial, and humanitarian organization, and by educating American youth we are helping them to make informed decisions.

These goals are not mutually exclusive. The mission of the Red Cross is to alleviate suffering in times of disaster and conflict.

There is a Module in Exploring Humanitarian Law that addresses the issue of commander responsability and refusing to obey illegal orders, based on what happened at My Lai. You can find it in Module 3 at www.redcross.org/ehl