International Humanitarian Law and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

This book provides a key reference on the role of the Commonwealth and its member states in relation to international humanitarian law (IHL). It provides insights in the implementation of IHL in Commonwealth states and, particularly, the challenges faced by small states. It examines the progressive development of IHL in the Commonwealth and provides an analysis of some of the landmark decisions emerging from the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

The book was developed collaboratively between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. In this regard, it contains insights in the work of the Secretariat with regard to implementation of IHL and an assessment of legislation enacted by Commonwealth states as well as an accession chart to IHL instruments. It expounds on the work of the Movement, including the role of National Societies, the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission, and the development of international disaster response law, rules and regulation.

This book was based on a special issue of Commonwealth Law Bulletin.

Foreword K.J. Keith. Preface Betty Mould-Iddrisu 1. Introduction to International Humanitarian Law Aldo Zammit Borda 2. The Inter-Play between International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law Ruona Iguyovwe 3. Promoting International Humanitarian Law: The Work of the Commonwealth Secretariat Melissa Khemani and Joshua Brien 4. Implementation of International Humanitarian Law within the Commonwealth Leonard Blazeby 5. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Humanitarian Partner of Choice for Commonwealth States Michael Meyer 6. The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission Charles Garraway 7. The Contribution of the Special Court for Sierra Leone to the Development of International Humanitarian Law Susan C. Breau 8. Samoa’s Experience with the International Criminal Court Ming Leung Wai 9. The Laws of War and Traditional Cultures: A Case Study of the Pacific Region Helen Durham 10. International Disaster Response Law and the Commonwealth: Answering the Call to Action Victoria Bannon Legislation 11. Commonwealth Countries Legislation 2005–2008 International Committee of the Red Cross IHL Treaty Accession 12. Accession Chart International Committee of the Red Cross Model Laws 13. Model Law: Geneva Conventions (Consolidation) Act International Committee of the Red Cross 14. Model Law: To Implement the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court The Commonwealth Secretariat

Aldo Zammit Borda is Legal Editor at the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat.