Training Armed and Security Forces in IHL: The ICRC’s Mission

In conflict zones across South Asia, armed forces and security personnel face complex decisions in the heat of battle. The difference between a lawful military operation and a violation of international humanitarian law can hang on a soldier’s understanding of fundamental principles. This is where the International Committee of the Red Cross steps in with a critical mission: training armed forces in the rules of war.

Why training armed forces in IHL matters 🔗

The Geneva Conventions require states to disseminate IHL as widely as possible, particularly through military instruction programs. This obligation exists in both peacetime and wartime, ensuring that armed forces understand their legal duties before conflicts erupt. Training serves as a preventative mechanism against violations, stemming from the fundamental principle that states must ensure their organs respect international agreements they have ratified.

Beyond legal compliance, IHL training serves practical military interests. It allows commanders to maintain discipline and control over their troops while reducing the risk of state responsibility for violations. When soldiers understand the rules governing armed conflict, they can make better decisions under pressure, distinguishing between legitimate military targets and protected persons.

The ICRC’s comprehensive approach to dissemination 🔗

The ICRC has developed a multifaceted strategy for ensuring armed forces understand and implement IHL. This goes beyond simple classroom instruction to create a culture of respect for humanitarian norms within military structures.

Developing tailored training materials 🔗

One size does not fit all when it comes to IHL training. The ICRC works with armed forces to develop context-specific manuals and handbooks. In Mali, for instance, the organization collaborated with armed forces to create an IHL manual tailored to the local context for distribution to unit commanders, plus an illustrated handbook that communicated norms simply to soldiers in the field.

These materials address real scenarios forces might encounter, making abstract legal principles concrete and operational. Rather than theoretical discussions, training focuses on practical application during military operations.

Training at multiple levels 🔗

Effective IHL dissemination reaches every rank within armed forces. The ICRC conducts sessions for military training establishments, instructing future instructors who will then teach their own troops. This train-the-trainer model ensures sustainable capacity within armed forces themselves.

Training also targets headquarters staff, junior commanders, and soldiers performing field exercises. Legal advisers receive specialized instruction to advise military commanders on IHL application during operations. This multilevel approach ensures that knowledge of the law becomes integrated into military culture, not just memorized rules.

Integrating IHL into military doctrine 🔗

The most effective training embeds IHL principles into official military doctrine, regulations, and operating procedures. The ICRC assists armed forces in reviewing and updating their internal regulations to reflect humanitarian standards, establishing reporting mechanisms for potential violations, and creating accountability structures within the chain of command.

This integration means IHL compliance becomes part of routine military operations rather than an afterthought. Commanders understand their responsibility to foster respect for IHL among their troops and to report alleged breaches through appropriate channels.

Engaging with non-state actors 🔗

One of the ICRC’s most challenging yet important roles involves training non-state armed groups. The principle of equality of belligerents in IHL means that all parties to a conflict bear the same humanitarian obligations, regardless of their political or legal status.

The case of Sri Lanka 🔗

During the conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the ICRC demonstrated its commitment to impartial humanitarian action. The organization held training sessions for both military and police schools as well as occasional sessions for LTTE combatants. This approach recognized that protecting civilians and other protected persons requires all parties to understand and respect humanitarian norms.

By engaging with the LTTE, the ICRC worked to ensure that fighters understood fundamental principles like distinction between civilians and combatants, humane treatment of detainees, and protection of the wounded and sick. While politically sensitive, this engagement served the humanitarian goal of reducing suffering during conflict.

Overcoming obstacles 🔗

Training non-state armed groups presents unique challenges. These groups may lack formal military structures, educational backgrounds, or access to resources. The ICRC adapts its approach accordingly, presenting IHL in accessible language and focusing on core principles rather than complex legal frameworks.

The organization emphasizes that such engagement does not confer legitimacy on armed groups. The Geneva Conventions explicitly state that humanitarian action does not affect the legal status of parties to conflict. The goal remains purely humanitarian: ensuring all combatants understand the rules that protect human dignity in war.

Building long-term respect for humanitarian norms 🔗

The ICRC’s training programs aim for lasting impact. This requires sustained engagement over time, not one-off workshops. In South Asia and elsewhere, the organization maintains long-term relationships with armed forces, providing ongoing support as conflicts evolve and new challenges emerge.

Beyond the law: values and culture 🔗

Effective IHL training goes beyond teaching legal rules. It connects humanitarian principles to the values and cultural norms that armed forces already hold. The ICRC’s research has shown that socialization based on organizational and community norms can significantly influence combatants’ attitudes and behavior.

Training therefore explores the ethical foundations of IHL rules, drawing connections to concepts like military honor, professional conduct, and respect for human dignity. This values-based approach helps ensure that IHL principles become internalized rather than merely memorized.

Measuring impact 🔗

How do we know if IHL training works? The ICRC monitors the conduct of armed forces during operations, providing confidential feedback to military leadership when issues arise. It also tracks whether forces have established the necessary systems and infrastructure to comply with IHL, such as procedures for treating detainees humanely or protecting civilians during military operations.

While perfect compliance remains elusive, training demonstrably improves respect for humanitarian norms. Armed forces that receive regular IHL instruction show better understanding of their obligations and greater willingness to implement protective measures during conflicts.

The road ahead for South Asia 🔗

Armed conflicts in South Asia continue to pose humanitarian challenges. From border tensions to internal security operations, armed and security forces must navigate complex legal and ethical terrain. The ICRC’s training mission remains as vital as ever.

States in the region have obligations under Additional Protocol I and II to disseminate IHL widely and include its study in military instruction programs. Meeting these obligations through partnership with the ICRC and other organizations strengthens both legal compliance and operational effectiveness.

For non-state actors operating in the region, the ICRC stands ready to engage in dialogue and provide training that serves humanitarian objectives. This engagement, while sometimes controversial, reflects the fundamental truth that wars have rules that all parties must respect.

What do you think? How can military training better integrate humanitarian values alongside tactical skills? What role should regional organizations in South Asia play in supporting IHL dissemination efforts?

References

1. https://www.ohchr.org/en/resources/educators/human-rights-education-training/1-geneva-convention-i-amelioration-condition-wounded-and-sick-armed-forces-field-1949
2. https://ihl-in-action.icrc.org/case-study/mali-ihl-training-organised-armed-groups-and-malian-armed-forces
3. http://opiniojuris.org/2020/10/08/training-armed-forces-in-ihl-just-a-matter-of-law/
4. https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/resources/documents/update/57jn3s.htm
5. https://www.icrc.org/sites/default/files/external/doc/fr/assets/files/review/2011/irrc-883-tuck.pdf
6. https://www.dcaf.ch/sites/default/files/publications/documents/PolicyPaperIHL_Training_EN.pdf
7. https://www.ohchr.org/en/resources/educators/human-rights-education-training/5-protocol-additional-geneva-conventions-12-august-1949-and-relating-protection-victims