Humanizing the Laws of War: The Red Cross and the Development of International Humanitarian Law

Over the past 150 years, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been one of the main drivers of progressive development in international humanitarian law, whilst assuming various roles in the humanization of the laws of war. With select contributions from international experts, this book critically assesses the ICRC's unique influence in international norm creation. It provides a detailed analysis of the workings of the International Red Cross, Red Crescent Movement and ICRC by addressing the milestone achievements as well as the failures, shortcomings and controversies over time. Crucially, the contributions highlight the lessons to be learnt for future challenges in the development of international humanitarian law. This book will be of particular interest to scholars and students of international law, but also to practitioners working in the field of international humanitarian law at both governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the development of international humanitarian law Stefanie Haumer, Robin Geiss and Andreas Zimmermann; Part I. The International Committee of the Red Cross' Influence on the Development of Core International Humanitarian Law Treaties: 1. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Geneva Conventions of 1949 Robert Heinsch; 2. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the additional protocols of 1977 Michael Bothe; Part II. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Development of International Humanitarian Law beyond Treaty Regimes: 3. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the clarification of customary international humanitarian law Jean-Marie Henckaerts; 4. The International Committee of the Red Cross' 'interpretive guidance on the notion of direct participation in hostilities': see a little light Robert Cryer; Part III. The International Committee of the Red Cross' Influence on Related Areas of International Law: 5. Development of treaties limiting or prohibiting the use of certain weapons: the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross Kathleen Lawand and Isabel Robinson; 6. Between 'constructive engagement', 'collusion' and 'critical distance': the International Committee of the Red Cross and the development of international criminal law Carsten Stahn; Part IV. Conclusion: 7. The International Committee of the Red Cross – a unique actor in the field of international humanitarian law creation and progressive development Robin Geiss and Andreas Zimmermann.

About the Author :
Robin Geiss is a Professor of International Law and Security at the University of Glasgow. He has previously worked as a Legal Adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva and as ICRC delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Andreas Zimmermann is a Professor of International and European Law at Universität Potsdam, Germany and Director of the Potsdam Centre of Human Rights. Prior to joining Universität Potsdam, he was Director of the Walther-Schücking-Institute of International Law at the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel. Stefanie Haumer is a Legal Adviser at the Department of International Law of the German Red Cross. Her main research areas include current issues of humanitarian law as well human rights law, international criminal law and disaster laws.