International Humanitarian Law

International humanitarian law is a branch of public international law, which establishes the principles and rules regulating the means and methods of warfare, as well as humanitarian protection of civilians, sick and wounded combatants, prisoners of war.

Key international humanitarian law instruments are:

♦ Geneva Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field;
♦ Geneva Convention (II) for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea;
♦ Geneva Convention (III) to the Treatment of Prisoners of War;
♦ Geneva Convention (IV) to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Times of War;
♦ Protocol II Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts;
♦ Protocol II Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts;
♦ Protocol III Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem.

The Republic of Belarus is a party to all named international treaties.

Belarus plays an active role in the consideration of issues tackled with the strengthening and dissemination of knowledge of IHL at international platforms, including participation in the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

On December 9-12, 2019 the Delegation of the Government of the Republic of Belarus participated in the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Oleg Kravchenko.

Since 2018, the Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross has been operating in Minsk. It was established on the basis of the Agreement between the Republic of Belarus and the International Committee of the Red Cross on the status, privileges and immunities of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Republic of Belarus.

For the purpose of the implementation of international legal obligations of the Republic of Belarus in the field of IHL, a Commission on the implementation of international humanitarian law under the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus has been established.