International humanitarian law

- comprises of the Hague and Geneva Conventions and a range of subsequent international treaties and case law.

The Hague Conventions, also known as the 'laws of war' are converend with defining combatants and establishing rules governing the means and methods of warfare. The 4 Geneva Conventions of 1949 and additional protocols of 1977 focus on the protections of civilian and those who can no longer fight in an armed conflict
 

- comprises the body of international law designed to promote and protect human rights.

A cornerstone is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 1948. It recognises the dignity and equal rights of all human beings as the foundation of freedom, justice and pease throughout the world.
 

Good Humanitarian practice

• Principles of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Response Programmes
• The Sphere Project (2011) Humanitarian Charter and minimum standards in Humanitarian Response.

And along with the following principles:

Humanity – every individual’s right to life with dignity and the duty on others to take steps to save lives and alleviate suffering.
Impartiality – to act on the basis of need without discrimination.
Neutrality – to act without preference for one group or another.
Independence – to ensure the autonomy of humanitarian action from any other political, economic or military interests.
 

Good humanitarian practice...

• prevents or relieves human suffering
• is provided proportional to need is impartial and independent
• respects the diversity, rights and dignity of those affected
• is accountable to supporters and beneficiaries
• is flexible and appropriate to context
• facilitates participation of affected groups
• strives to reduce future vulnerability
• promotes self reliance & local response capacity