The laws of war

The latest from our international humanitarian law team.

Students, art and the laws of war

Art has the incredible potential to raise awareness of issues facing humanity.

Black Mist and the Ban

On the 70th anniversary of the first nuclear weapon test on mainland Australia, we support the call for a nuclear weapons ban.

May the 4th be with you

The reality of warfare in outer space

Ensuring respect for International Humanitarian Law

“It’s a privilege to be a part of a global network working towards the benefit of humanity.”

Our recommended reads for 2022

Here are some of our favourite reads of 2022, brought to you by the Australian Red Cross + Readings book club on the laws and impact of war.

Renewed hope for a world without nuclear weapons

77 years on from the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Australia commits to new sanctions measures to ensure respect for IHL

New laws would enable sanctions against serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

The importance of the laws of war to companies

Criminal indictment of two Swedish business leaders for complicity in war crimes affirms the importance of the laws of war to companies.

Red Cross honours colleagues killed in the line of duty

We honour our colleagues’ lives and we mourn the too-high price they paid in carrying out their work.

Nuclear weapons treaty: a new beginning

Join us to celebrate history in the making and the beginning of the end of nuclear weapons.

We know nuclear weapons are unacceptable: let’s act on it

A new survey shows that nearly four out of five Australians want our country to sign on to a global treaty banning nuclear weapons for good.

Seven steps to more responsible business conduct in conflict zones

A new best-practice framework to help businesses operating in conflict-affected areas.

A delicate balance of humanity and military necessity

The laws of war are a delicate balance between humanity and military necessity, helping to preserve fundamental human values in the grim reality of war.

A historic day in the fight against nuclear weapons

The ratification of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons by a 50th country is a historic day bringing us a step closer to a nuclear-weapons-free world.

National security not incompatible with humanitarian ideals

This month we have commemorated 75 years since the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, reflecting on the unfathomable devastation while repeating the familiar ‘never again’ mantra.

No one will come to help: Why we must prevent a nuclear catastrophe

Seventy-five years after atomic bombs destroyed the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement urges all nations to end the nuclear era.

The value of international humanitarian law in the time of COVID-19

A pandemic is not an armed conflict, so how can the laws of war help shape the response and the aftermath?

Young people think a major war is likely in their lifetime

Almost half of all millennials think it’s more likely than not there will be a third world war in their lifetime, a new Red Cross survey finds.

What do the laws of war, dogs and pickles have in common?

They are all great loves of the volunteers who chair our International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Advisory Committees.

Stop shooting at us

Each year on 17 December we honour our Red Cross and Red Crescent colleagues killed for their humanitarian work.

Using the laws of war to improve humanitarian access

How can we better leverage international humanitarian law (IHL) to improve access to people in need?

The Geneva Conventions, Lego and Road Runner turn 70

In 1949, Australia’s population had just hit 8 million, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was brand new, Joan Sutherland was starting out, and it was the heyday of Betty Grable and Bing Crosby.

Game of Thrones and laws of war: Meet our volunteers

We may have come to the end of Game of Thrones, and there may be no more war crimes to discuss, but that won’t keep us quiet!

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