Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law

Definitions are oftern the first step towards granting or denying a person's rights. This guide's aim is to provide precise meaning and content to terms such as "refugee", "genocide", and "human rights" - terms that the media have introduced into everyday conversation, yet whose legal and political meanings are often obscure. Written from the perspective of victims and those who bring them assistance, this study interprets the relevant international conventions and legal instruments applicable in situations of danger; describes the populations and persons who must be protected; enumerates the rights of victims and humanitarian orgaizations in times of conflict, tension and other crises; and defines the crimes set forth by humanitarian law and the recourses it provides. It also explains the rights, duties and responsiblities of the various national, international and non-govermental actors in these situations and their margins of action and lists the legal arguements that will enable them to defend their relief iniatives.