New legal database launched to enhance protection for war victims

 Geneva, 10 Aug-(ANA)-The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is launching a new database of  customary international humanitarian law as part of activities marking the anniversary of the Geneva Convention on 12 August.

 Developed in association with the British Red Cross, the database is designed to be used as a legal reference in international and non-international armed conflicts. Those with access will include  courts, tribunals and international organizations. As one of the principal sources of international humanitarian law, customary law enhances the legal protection of victims of armed conflict.

 Customary international humanitarian law is a set of unwritten rules derived from a general, or common, practice which is regarded as law. It is the basic standard of conduct in armed conflict accepted by the world community and is universally applicable. In contrast to treaty law, it is not necessary for a State to formally accept a rule of custom in order to be bound by it, as long as the overall State practice on which the rule is based is widespread, representative and virtually uniform. (ANA)

FA/ANA/10 August 2010-----------