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The Movement and its mandate

The International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement (the Movement) holds an important and unique position in international law. The Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world, comprising the …

What is IHL?

International humanitarian law (IHL) is a set of universally-accepted rules that seek to limit, for humanitarian reasons, the effects of war. The main purpose of IHL is to maintain some …

Ensuring IHL accountability

As this course has canvassed, individuals and businesses can be held accountable under both criminal and civil law for violations of IHL. However, accountability for respecting IHL should also include …

Reporting on IHL commitments

In order to effectively integrate respect for IHL into a company’s due diligence practices and policies, it is recommended to ensure that the company undertakes both internal and external reporting …

Promoting IHL among partners

There’s a common misconception that violations of IHL only occur in developing countries. The reality is that IHL can also be an issue in developed countries, even where these violations …

Risk analysis and management

Businesses today are more aware of their human rights obligations than ever before and are increasingly exposed to conflict-affected areas, primarily due to the proximity of business operations to war …

IHL training

In order to effectively implement respect for IHL commitments within a business, it is important to train business personnel so that they have the knowledge and capacity to comply with, …

Reputational risks of IHL violations

Reputational risks are closely linked legal and operational risks, and have the effect of reducing public trust in a company. Reputational risks are those that have a detrimental impact on …

Operational risks of IHL violations

Many businesses operate in diverse and often challenging social, economic, political and cultural landscapes. Business operations often traverse borders, in complex and dangerous environments where countries are, or are at …

Existing business and human rights initiatives

Now that you understand what the business and human rights agenda is, it’s important to understand the initiatives that support and promote a business’s responsibility to respect human rights. In …

Defence industry

New and emerging technologies are fundamentally changing warfighting today. Take, for example, drone surveillance or the use of precision guided munitions in aerial strikes, particularly in urban warfare settings. Among …

Investment and finance

The financial sector plays a significant role as a lubricant and enabler for global economic activity. When it comes to demonstrating responsible investment and lending, financial institutions today face growing …

IHL Resources for businesses

Australian Red Cross and RMIT University have developed a suite of resources and training materials for businesses. You will have been introduced to some of these already, over the past …

Legal risks of IHL violations

Violations of IHL can entail both civil and criminal liability for businesses. Civil liability Businesses can be, and in the past have been, sued for wrongdoing in conflict zones by …

Forced displacement

Under IHL, it is a war crime to forcibly displace civilians in both international and non-international armed conflicts. The only exception to this rule is where civilians are relocated on …