The Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law: First English Language Edition - Softcover

Anyone who works or lives in the world's zones of danger needs to have a practical knowledge of international humanitarian law. This guide is clear, accessible, and reliable. So it is invaluable.--Michael Ignatieff, Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University Unique. . . . As violent conflagrations erupt in many parts of the world, this book provides a very useful guide to exceedingly difficult territory, including the specific organizations and institutions that deal with these harsh problems. The Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law is clear and not technical, yet precise and well documented. Altogether, it is a valuable contribution to our ceasless quest for a more compassionate humanity.--David A. Hamburg M.D., president emeritus, Carnegie Corporation of New York

Definitions are often the first step toward granting or denying a person's rights. The Guide's aim is to provide precise meaning and content for terms such as terrorism, refugee, genocide, and intervention - terms that the media have introduced into everyday conversation, yet whose legal and political meanings are often obscure. The Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law explains the terms, concepts, and rules of humanitarian law in accessible and reader-friendly alphabetical entries. Written from the perspective of victims and those who bring them assistance, the Guide outlines the dangers, spells out the law, and points the way toward dealing with violators and violations of the law. Entries in the Guide are complemented by detailed bibliographic references, addresses, phone numbers and internet addresses of the organizations presented, a thematic index, and an up-to-date list of the status of ratification of the more than 20 international conventions and treaties concerning humanitarian law, human rights, refugees, and international criminal law. Published in cooperation with Doctors without Borders/Medecins sans Frontiers. Visit our website for sample chapters!