International Humanitarian Law

International Humanitarian Law (IHL)—also known as the law of armed conflict or the law of war—is a set of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons. It lays down the legal obligations of parties in an armed conflict, protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities (such as civilians, wounded soldiers, and prisoners of war) and restricts the means and methods of warfare. 

War crimes—such as targeting civilians, torture, or the use of prohibited weapons—are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocol I, and other serious violations of the laws and customs of war. War crimes are punishable under international criminal law. All States have an obligation to prevent war crimes or punish them if they occur.