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International humanitarian law (IHL)  

International humanitarian law is a set of rules which seek to limit the effects of armed conflict on people and objects.

Also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict, IHL protects certain categories of people and restricts the method and means of warfare.


Red Cross champions the treaties which aim to reduce suffering in times of armed conflict, the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols.

Australian Red Cross educates key groups about the laws of war - including humanitarian organisations, journalists, students and the public. Australian Red Cross maintains a relationship with the Defence Force and Federal Police to reinforce the humanitarian principles of IHL.
 
Writing competition 2010  
Announcing the 2010 Red Cross international humanitarian law writing competition for students of journalism  

During the fighting that took place in northern Sri Lanka in 2009, the ICRC evacuated around 14,000 wounded and sick people. Photo: ICRC/Z. Burduli/LK

In 2010 Australian Red Cross, in conjunction with New Zealand Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross, is again running a writing competition for students of journalism in Australia and New Zealand.

Under the headline Let them through and keep them safe, journalism students are asked to submit feature articles of 1,000 words investigating the contemporary international topic, The Protection of Humanitarian Workers in Times of Armed Conflict.

Full details are in the competition brochure, downloadable below.

Entries close on Friday 17 September 2010.

The competition has two categories, one for undergraduates and one for postgraduates.

Prizes of AU$1,000, $500 and $250 will be awarded for first, second and third place respectively in both categories.

Find out more about International Humanitarian Law.

 
Download the brochure with full details of the competition
[file size: 122kb/type: PDF]
Download the cover sheet that must accompany all competition entries
[file size: 72kb/type: PDF]
Download last year's winning article by University of Melbourne student, Sarah Horan
[file size: 25.6kb/type: PDF]
Crisis Care Commitment
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Protecting the protectors
Protecting the protectors
Read about the protection of humanitarian workers in the latest issue of our International Humanitarian magazine.
Even wars have laws
Red Cross takes child soldiers, torture and landmines to the streets.
Parliamentarian's Handbook
IHL handbook
Promoting respect for international humanitarian law.
Emblems of protection
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