ICRC_Rwanda

In armed conflicts, not everything or everyone is a lawful target. @CDroegeICRC, ICRC's chief legal officer, explains what’s allowed on the battlefield and how the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution are meant to protect lives.

In armed conflict-affected areas, when healthcare workers aren’t protected, everything stops: no ambulances, no medicine, no care. Just people waiting… and hoping help comes. The rules of war are clear: they must always be protected and respected.

Rights of people deprived of liberty do not end behind bars: their life and dignity must be respected. This includes, among others: - Access to essential services - Prevention of ill-treatment - Compliance with judicial guarantees

Women don’t just endure armed conflicts: they respond, resist, and rebuild. From grieving losses to reinventing themselves, from frontline responders to community leaders, their roles in armed conflict are diverse 👇🏽

Legally defining and classifying armed conflicts has real-world consequences. Warring parties must know and respect IHL and preserve humanity in the chaos of war. @CDroegeICRC, ICRC's chief legal officer, explains how an armed conflict is defined and why it matters 👇🏽

Humanitarian pauses, corridors, ceasefires... whatever the term, warring parties must protect civilians and humanitarian workers. @CDroegeICRC, our chief legal officer, explains👇🏻

🎒 Students are civilians. ✏️ Teachers are too. 🏫 Schools are civilian buildings. All of them are protected by the rules of war. Even when schools are used for military purposes, international humanitarian law (IHL) still requires armed actors to take all feasible precautions prior to attack, to avoid or minimize incidental harm to civilians and civilian infrastructure. Even wars have limits. Always.

Weaponized drones are reshaping conflicts, increasing risks for civilians. On this topic, Mirjana Spoljaric, ICRC president, shared at the Munich Security Conference 👇🏽

For 160+ years, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has brought hope and help in humanity’s hardest moments. Our emblems, more than symbols, stand for shields safeguarding humanitarian workers, volunteers, and affected communities. They must be protected, always. #GenevaConventions

Humanitarian pauses, corridors, ceasefires… are they defined by international humanitarian law? Whatever the term used, warring parties have obligations to protect civilians and aid workers. @CDroegeICRC explains more 👇🏻

@JdsSindayigaya Muraho neza Jean Daniel. Mwatwandikira ubutumwa muri DM tukabafasha. Murakoze.

@ICRC_rw: Muraho? Umuntu ushaka kurangisha umuntu we baburanye , hakaba hashize iminsi, mwamufasha iki? Mbaye mbashimiye. Nitwa Jean Daniel Sindayigaya

This morning, Minister of State @UstaNcusta received Mr. Omar Kedir Awol, Head of Regional Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross for Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. Discussions focused on strengthening partnership between Rwanda and the @ICRC.

According to IHL, there are three obligations regarding missing persons and their families: 👤 Prevent people from going missing 🔎 Clarify their fate & whereabouts 📄 Inform families, investigate & when appropriate, prosecute war crimes causing persons to go missing

Over 130 armed conflicts are raging today, twice as many as 15 years ago. Wars are lasting longer, growing more complex, and trapping entire generations. Learn more about why it matters to legally classify armed conflicts 👇🏽

Cyber operations can impact hospitals, power grids, and communications. The laws of war, international humanitarian law, cover what are legal attacks (both physical or cyber) and what are legitimate targets. Learn more about why these limits matter.

Is everything allowed in wars? The answer is clear: no🔴 Civilians must be protected. Arms bearers must at all times make the distinction between the civilian population and combatants. #IHL

In armed conflict-affected areas, danger isn’t always visible or audible. For people with disabilities, the threats they cannot see, hear, or understand can be the most life-threatening. Parties to the conflict must ensure their safety through proper planning and inclusive protection measures.

When densely populated areas are attacked, civilians are the ones who suffer the most. Did you know that when wars are fought in cities, an estimated 90% of the casualties are civilians? Even wars have limits.

Across Africa today, more than 50 armed conflicts are ongoing, forcing over 35 million people to live in displacement, far from their homes. In 2025, our teams stood alongside families across the continent, providing protection and life-saving assistance in some of the hardest-hit places.

War is not only fought on frontlines. It is lived in homes without power, in streets without safety, and in families trying to survive another day. Respect for civilians and access to aid are not optional; they are essential.