Implementing International Humanitarian Law: Problems and Priorities

Abstract

The implementation of international humanitarian law applicable in armed conflicts must be considered in the light of three basic problems.First, in time of peace no one wants to think about the kind of situation where this body of law is put into practice. Nor is it easy to foster enthusiasm for legal rules which are beyond people's personal experience. But unless certain efforts are made and steps taken in peacetime, it cannot be expected that these rules will be implemented in time of crisis or war.