This section provides information for some current IHL issues and links to the appropriate sections on the ICRC website.

International Conference


'Together for humanity' was the theme of the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the Conference that brings together all National Societies, the ICRC, the International Federation and governments once every four years to address global humanitarian challenges. Important achievements of past conferences include; affirming the Red Cross mission to bring help to wounded members of the armed forces (1867); proclaiming the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (1965), and presenting the three draft protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions (1973 & 2005).

The outcomes of the Conference will guide and inspire the work of Australian Red Cross into the future. The Conference was held 26-30 November 2007, in Geneva. 

More about the Conference and outcomes

Women and War

Countless women and girls all over the world suffer the trauma of war -- they may be made widows or orphans, perhaps displaced from their homes, sometimes detained. They are often separated from loved ones and become victims of violence and intimidation. For the most part they are civilians caught in the crossfire, and show astonishing resourcefulness and resilience in coping with the disintegration of their families, the loss of their home and their belongings and the destruction of their lives.

More about the impact of war on women

Child Soldiers

Under the rules of IHL, children must be respected and protected during armed conflict. In spite of this, children are often the victims of war, torn from their families, sometimes forced into the armed forces or militia, or held in servitude or captivity. They carry the scars of war into the next generation.

More about the impact of war on children

Cluster munitions

Cluster munitions have been a persistent humanitarian problem for decades. Used in armed conflicts for over forty years, these weapons have killed and injured large numbers of civilians in war affected countries.

Cluster munitions pose a grave danger to civilians. Cluster munitions can disperse explosive submunitions (bomblets) over very wide areas and civilian casualties can be very high when these weapons are used in populated areas. In addition, large numbers of submunitions fail to explode as intended leaving a long-term legacy of explosive contamination. Many thousands of civilian men, women and children have been tragically killed and injured by coming into contact with unexploded submunitions.

Currently there is discussion within the International Community to establish a treaty which will ban the use of cluster munitions by the end of 2008; commonly known as the Oslo Process. Over 80 states are participating in this process including Australia. Two further meetings are scheduled in Wellington, from 18-22 February 2008 and Dublin in 19-30 May 2008.

Australian Red Cross is deeply concerned about the effects cluster munitions have on civilian populations in war affected countries, in many situations long after hostilities have ceased.

Australian Red Cross encourages the Australian Government to continue its participation in the international negotiations and to conclude a treaty that affords the strongest possible protection for civilians from these indiscriminate weapons.

And Robert Tickners' first response and second response  to the issues surrounding cluster munitions.

Cluster munitions and international humanitarian law 

The Missing

Each year, thousands of families are separated and individuals go missing as a result of war and internal violence. Families are torn apart, sometimes for years. The Red Cross seeks to assists families regain contact, or at least to know the fate of their missing relatives.

More about the missing and the ICRC's role in restoring family links