1.

About the protection of civilian population

The protection of the civilian population in times of conflict is based on an essential principe
of international humanitarian law: civilians who are not participating in the hostilities must
on no account be the object of attack, and must be spared and protected.

The term "protection" encompasses all activities aimed at securing respect for the fundamental
rights of the individual, as defined in international legal instruments, in particular international
humanitarian law, refugee law, and human rights law.

The mandate of the ICRC is to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of civilians who are not
participating in hostilities and are affected by situations of violence. This mandate derives from
international humanitarian law, which affords the civilian population general protection from the
effects of military operations and abuse by the adverse party. In the event of conflict the ICRC
makes representations to the relevant authorities, on the one hand to prevent or put an end to
violations of humanitarian law, and on the other to protect the life, health and dignity of civilians
and to ensure that the consequences of the conflict do not jeopardize their future.

The Geneva Conventions of 1949, and especially their Additional Protocols of 1977, contain
specific rules for the protection of civilians and civilian property. In situations that do not come
under the definition of international armed conflicts, the civilian population is entitled to
protection under Article 3 common to all four Geneva Conventions. In the event of internal
disturbances civilians are protected by the basic principles of international humanitarian law and
the inalienable core of human rights law.

The ICRC has a twofold approach in its work to protect the civilian population :

First, by gathering information in the field and informing military and civilian authorities or
opposition leaders of unlawful acts committed against the local population, the ICRC tries to
bring such practices to a halt and to trigger appropriate remedial action. ICRC delegates take both
direct action in the field (relief operation) and draw up confidential reports over a certain period
of time. The recommendations they make can range from alleviating the effects on civilians of the
way army units conduct hostilities to preventing summary executions of alleged collaborators by
rebel forces. These reports highlight rules of conduct which must be observed in order to maintain
at least some measure of humanity at the heart of the violence. They include respect for basic
rights such as the right to life, safety and human dignity, the prohibition of torture and ill-
treatment, the prohibition of acts of terrorism and indiscriminate violence, respect for the
wounded and the work of medical personnel, the special protection to be granted to
children, the limits to be imposed on means of maintaining order, and so forth.

Second, in case of emergency and when all other possibilities have been exhausted, the ICRC
may take the initiative of evacuating particularly vulnerable individuals from a dangerous area,
reuniting separated family members, arranging for the exchange of family messages, and
providing medical supplies and food for starving communities.

The ICRC also maintains a regular presence in areas where individuals or entire communities are
at risk of being attacked. Its delegates stay in close contact with all potential perpetrators of
violence - whether regular army troops, rebel fighting units, or security or police forces.
See also: Marion Harroff-Tavel, "Action taken by the International Committee of the Red Cross
in situations of internal violence",

Courtsey: International Review of the Red Cross, No. 294.

http://www.icrc.org/Web/eng/siteeng0.nsf