Customary international humanitarian law / International Committee of the Red Cross ; [edited by] Jean-Marie Henckaerts and Louise Doswald-Beck ; with contributions by Carolin Alvermann.

At head of t.p.: International Committee of the Red Cross
Originally published 2005; reprinted with corrections 2007
Also published: Vol. II, in 2 parts, detailing the practice on which these rules are based

Includes bibliographical references.

Foreword by ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger
Foreword by Judge Abdul G. Koroma
Foreword by Yves Sandoz
Authors' note
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part I. The Principle of Distinction: 1. Distinction between Civilians and Combatants (Rules 1-6)
2. Distinction between Civilian Objects and Military Objectives (Rules 7-10)
3. Indiscriminate attacks (Rules 11-13)
4. Proportionality in attack (Rule 14)
5. Precautions in attack (Rules 15-21)
6. Precautions against the effects of attacks (Rules 22-24)
Part II. Specifically Protected Persons and Objects: 7. Medical and religious personnel and objects (Rules 25-30)
8. Humanitarian relief personnel and objects (Rules 31-32)
9. Personnel and objects Involved in a Peacekeeping Mission (Rule 33)
10. Journalists (Rule 34)
11. Protected zones (Rules 35-37)
12. Cultural property (Rules 38-43)
13. Works and Installations Containing Dangerous Forces (Rule 44)
14. The Natural Environment (Rules 45-47)
Part III. Specific Methods of Warfare: 15. Denial of quarter (Rules 48-50)
16. Destruction and seizure of property (Rules 51-54)
17. Starvation and access to humanitarian relief (Rules 55-59)
18. Deception (Rules 60-68)
19. Communication with the enemy (Rules 69-72)
Part IV. Weapons: 20. General principles (Rules 73-75)
21. Poison (Rule 76)
22. Nuclear weapons
23. Biological weapons (Rule 77)
24. Chemical weapons (Rules 78-80)
25. Expanding bullets (Rule 81)
26. Exploding bullets (Rule 82)
27. Weapons primarily Injuring by Non-detectable Fragments (Rule 83)
28. Booby-traps (Rule 84)
29. Landmines (Rules 85-87)
30. Incendiary weapons (Rules 88-89)
31. Blinding laser weapons (Rule 90)
Part V. Treatment of Civilians and Persons Hors de Combat: 32. Fundamental guarantees (Rules 91-106)
33. Combatants and prisoner-of-war status (Rules 107-109)
34. The wounded, sick and shipwrecked (Rules 110-112)
35. The dead (Rules 113-117)
36. The missing (Rule 118)
37. Persons Deprived of Their Liberty (Rules 119-129)
38. Displacement and Displaced Persons (Rules 130-134)
39. Other Persons with Specific Needs (Rules 135-138)
Part VI. Implementation: 40. Compliance with International Humanitarian Law (Rules 139-143)
41. Enforcement of International Humanitarian Law (Rules 144-148)
42. Reparation (Rules 149-151)
43. Individual responsibility (Rules 152-157)
44. War crimes (Rules 158-163).

In 1996, the International Committee of the Red Cross, alongside a range of renowned experts, embarked upon a major international study into current state practice in international humanitarian law in order to identify customary law in this area. This book (along with its companion, Volume II: Practice) is the result of that study, a comprehensive analysis of the customary rules of international humanitarian law applicable in international and non-international armed conflicts. Given that important treaties in this area have not yet been universally ratified, this is a publication of major importance, carried out at the express request of the international community. In so doing, this study identifies the common core of international humanitarian law binding on all parties to all armed conflicts. This original work will be an essential tool for anyone involved with international humanitarian law.

eng.