Customary International Humanitarian Law

Customary International Humanitarian Law (IHL) consists of established practices and norms that countries follow during armed conflicts, regardless of written treaties. It aims to limit suffering by protecting those who are not participating in fighting and regulating the means and methods of warfare. These customary rules develop over time through consistent state practice and a sense of legal obligation, ensuring that even without specific treaties, parties to a conflict adhere to fundamental principles like humane treatment, proportionality, and distinction between civilians and combatants.