International humanitarian law

The law that regulates armed conflicts is one of the oldest branches of international law, and yet continues to be one of the most dynamic areas of law today. This book provides an accessible, scholarly, and up-to-date examination of international humanitarian law, offering a comprehensive and logical discussion and analysis of the law. The book contains detailed examples, extracts from relevant cases, useful discussion questions, and a recommended reading list for every chapter. Emerging trends in theory and practice of international humanitarian law are also explored, allowing for readers to build on their knowledge, and grapple with some of the biggest challenges facing the law of armed conflict in the twenty-first century. This second edition offers new sections on issues like detention in non-international armed conflict, characterisation of non-international armed conflicts, expanded chapters on occupation and the protection of civilians, means and methods of warfare, and implementation, enforcement and accountability.

Introduction -- Historical development of international humanitarian law -- The contemporary legal basis of international humanitarian law and its fundamental principles -- Types of armed conflicts -- Individual status in armed conflict; combatants, non-combatants, direct participation in hostilities and prisoners of war -- Protection of the wounded, sick, and shipwrecked -- The law of occupation and the protection of civilians -- Targeting -- Means and methods of warfare -- Implementation, enforcement and accountability -- Implementation, enforcement and accountability in non-international armed conflicts -- Conclusion