Matt Pollard

Engaging non-state armed groups on the protection of missing people and their families Preventing disappearances in war: what non-state armed groups can do to protect families and treat the dead with dignity under IHL.

👥 Maintaining family links, clarifying the fate of the missing, & honouring the dead are not only a humanitarian imperative, but a legal duty.

Insights from 64 #NSAGs reveal practical ways to implement these obligations.

Read more → bit.ly/3NlwAOx

Commenting Anew on Article 23 of Geneva Convention IV New Commentary on Geneva Convention IV describes Article 23 as "significantly diminished" in importance in today's legal context.

As part of our joint symposium with @ejiltalk.bsky.social and @icrclawpolicy.bsky.social, @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social analyzes the new @icrc.org Commentary deeming the GC IV's Article 23 as “significantly diminished” in importance in today’s legal context:

www.justsecurity.org/131513/comme...

Reading the Updated Commentary on GCIV in an Imperial Moment The updated ICRC Commentary of the Fourth Geneva Convention (GCIV) is a monumental, if not timely, achievement. At its core, it provides a set of very useful legal interpretations on an enormous body ...

Reading the Updated Commentary on GCIV in an Imperial Moment | by Boyd van Dijk

This post is part of a symposium is being run in collaboration with @justsecurity.org and the @icrc.org

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”: the ICRC’s approach to Common Article 3 in its updated Commentary This post explores the ICRC Commentary on Common Article 3, highlighting key updates and what they reveal about modern armed conflict law.

⚖️ Common Article 3 to the fourth #GenevaConventions hasn’t been rewritten; it’s been updated.

As a part of an @ICRC joint symposium with @justsecurity.org & @ejiltalk.bsky.social on the updated Commentary on GC IV, today's post examines three key updates to CA3.

tinyurl.com/mxf6bv29

Protecting civilians in good faith: a joint symposium on the updated ICRC Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention When law is read in good faith, it becomes a shield. GC IV’s purpose is simple: protect human beings in war.

⚖️We're delighted to co-host a joint symposium with @justsecurity.org and @ejiltalk.bsky.social on the updated @icrc.org Commentary on the GC IV.

Following 5 years of research, it consolidates 70+ years of law and practice to guide civilian protection today.

Read more → bit.ly/3OiPkOU

Waging warfare at sea: how exceptional is the maritime domain today? From the ocean floor to cyberspace, modern naval warfare is reshaping risk, law, and life far beyond the waves.

⚓ #Naval warfare is no longer confined to the waves.

As #maritime operations expand across domains, civilians, seafarers and global supply chains face new risks. How should #IHL apply today?

Read more about the urgent need for legal clarity → bit.ly/4aGWDbG

From paper files to digital access: the digital transformation of the ICRC Archives - Cross-Files | ICRC Archives, audiovisual and library On 17 January 1996, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) opened its general archives to the public, marking a turning point in the possibility of analysing the history of the ICRC, huma...

The ICRC has launched an ambitious digitization programme that will facilitate access to funds collections and enable a truly global reach for our unique archival materials

blogs.icrc.org/cross-files/...

Call for papers

Attention researchers and practitioners!

The International Review of the Red Cross calls for papers on 'Addressing the Human Cost of Weapons: Past, Present and Future'. Submit by 20 March 2026, and contribute to this vital discussion.

Read more: ms.spr.ly/63327Q6p55

"Civilian hackers in war": New article from @icrc.org colleague @trodenhauser.bsky.social, on #IHL & civilian hackers.
In the International Review of the Red Cross (open access, early access).
@icrclawpolicy.bsky.social #ICRC

Armed conflict forces millions to flee, including across borders. But migrants can also get caught in conflict and violence along their journeys. Cut off from safety networks, they face heightened risks of abuse, separation, and limited access to aid. Respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) is essential to protect migrants’ safety and dignity during armed conflicts.

Armed conflict forces millions to flee, including across borders. But migrants can also get caught in conflict and violence along their journeys.

Respecting the rules of war is crucial to protecting civilians, including migrants, during armed conflicts.

#MigrantsDay

Launch of the Updated Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention (event highlights) On the 17th of October, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) published the updated Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection…

Video highlights from the panel discussion launching the Updated @icrc.org Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war. #IHL

Twenty years on: the enduring impact of the ICRC customary IHL study and database How the ICRC's 2005 study on customary IHL clarified gaps left by the treaties, and helped to strengthen the practical application of IHL.

📄 20 years on, reassessing the @icrc.org’s 2005 study on customary IHL offers a timely lens on how the law applies today

Its findings continue to clarify gaps left by treaties and strengthen the practical application of IHL

Read more → bit.ly/49aXM9R
#IHL #CustomaryLaw

Hi, I’m Terry Hackett. I lead the ICRC’s work with people deprived of their liberty.

Over the next 3 days, I’ll be sharing what our detention work looks like on the ground - how our teams support detainees, what we do, and why it matters.

📸 Me on the far left, in Venezuela.

Important notice: AI-generated archival references

I wish a notice like this wasn't necessary.
www.icrc.org/en/article/i...

Navigating violence: five insights to strengthen humanitarian action in contested territories The ICRC's Arjun Claire and Matthew Bamber-Zryd present five key insights to help strengthen humanitarian responses in contested territories.

🌍 200M+ people today live in contested territories where armed actors hold shifting control.

Drawing on recent field research, the @icrc.org shares 5 insights to strengthen humanitarian response in these fragile environments.

Read more → bit.ly/4oZupxE
#IHL #HumanitarianAction #Protection

ICRC president: Use of explosive weapons in populated areas requires a collective response

“What kind of warfare are we prepared to accept?”
@ICRC
President warns that explosive weapons with wide-area effects should be avoided in populated areas. Civilian harm is predictable — and preventable.
🔗 icrc.org/en/statement...
#EWIPA #IHL #ProtectionOfCivilians #UrbanWarfare

Reaffirming the obligation to protect medical facilities and support their functioning Does IHL create an obligation to ensure that medical facilities receive adequate supplies? If so, what practical measures are required?

🏥 Even when #hospitals aren’t attacked, supply restrictions can quietly shut them down.

Today’s post looks at what #IHL requires to keep medical facilities functioning, from allowing medical consignments to enabling essential services.

Read more: bit.ly/4o97XkB

📅 Just one week to go | The “Launch Event: Updated Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention” is happening on 27 November.

Join legal experts & humanitarian practitioners to explore the Commentary’s role in strengthening compliance with IHL.

🔗 Register now → bit.ly/49Ei3Gi

👥 Meet the panelists for: “Launch of the Updated Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention.”

The panelists will come together for a dynamic discussion on the Commentary’s key findings and their practical implications.

Register now: bit.ly/49Ei3Gi
@icrc.org #GenevaConventions #GCIV

Dignity in death: International humanitarian law and the protection of the deceased in war Helen Obregón Gieseken: Senior Legal Adviser, International Committee of the

Among the articles is an important analysis, 'Dignity in death: International humanitarian law and the protection of the deceased in war', by my @icrc.org colleagues @helenobregon.bsky.social & @ximenalondono.bsky.social.

Protection of the Dead Whether lawful or unlawful, death is an inherent part of war - and has been throughout history. Yet, until now, IHL rules on the protection of the dead have received relatively little attention in sch...

Just out: new issue of the @icrc.org International Review of the Red Cross, on protection of the dead. @icrclawpolicy.bsky.social #IHL

EVENT: Implementing IHL in Challenging Times: A Panel Discussion to Mark the 30th Anniversary of the ICRC’s Advisory Service on IHL

📅 Save the date: 20 November | Implementing IHL in Challenging Times

Marking 30 years of the ICRC’s Advisory Service on #IHL, this event reaffirms that even in challenging times, implementing IHL is both possible and essential.

🔗 Sign up now: bit.ly/4nKxhgH

From hackers to tech companies: IHL and the involvement of civilians in ICT activities in armed conflict Five key risks, and state obligations, when civilians become involved in information and communication technology activities in armed conflict.

Blog post by @icrc.org colleagues Tilman Rodenhauser (@trodenhauser.bsky.social), Samit D'Cunha, Laurent Gisel (@laurentgisel.bsky.social), as well as Anna Rosalie Greipl (@geneva-academy.ch) & @marcoroscini.bsky.social (University of Westminster).

EVENT: From Hackers to Tech Companies: IHL and the Involvement of Civilians in ICT Activities in Armed Conflict

Register now for this online @icrc.org event, 4 November at 13:30 CET, with my colleague @trodenhauser.bsky.social.

Protecting civilians in good faith: the updated Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention Good faith interpretation means reading GC IV in a way that realizes its object and purpose - to protect human beings in times of war.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (@icrc.org) revised commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention, on the protection of civilians, is now online!
ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treat...

Below, an introductory post by head of the project, Jean-Marie Henckaerts. #IHL

Protecting civilians in good faith: the updated Commentary on the Fourth Geneva Convention Good faith interpretation means reading GC IV in a way that realizes its object and purpose - to protect human beings in times of war.

📜 “It is possible to protect civilians in war.”

After five years of research and consultations, the @icrc.org has released the updated Commentary on GC IV, the cornerstone of civilian protection in armed conflict and occupation.

Read more → bit.ly/4ovsaSf
#IHL #GenevaConventions

High-Level Launch of the Progress Report for the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to IHL

High-Level Launch of the Progress Report for the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law! #IHL
- 15:00 Geneva time today, 16 October 2025.
- Livestreaming: www.youtube.com/live/-SzsS0N...
- Co-hosted by Costa Rica, Slovenia, Switzerland &
@icrc.org

EVENT: From Hackers to Tech Companies: IHL and the Involvement of Civilians in ICT Activities in Armed Conflict

Register now for this online @icrc.org event, 4 November at 13:30 CET, with my colleague @trodenhauser.bsky.social.