The Geneva Conventions use the term *impartial to define humanitarian aid operations. This crucial principle qualifies humanitarian operations that are conducted without adverse discrimination. It reminds us of the universality of human suffering. No one can be deprived of the help they need. The general and operational principles of humanitarian action are set out, inter alia, in the Code of Conduct of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the Humanitarian Charter of the Spheres Project. According to the Court, in order to avoid the provision of «humanitarian aid», there is no doubt that the provision of purely humanitarian assistance to persons or forces in another country, regardless of their political affiliation or objectives, does not ➔ International humanitarian law __ ▸ Non-governmental organisations __ ▸ Protection __ ▸ Red Cross and Red Crescent __ ▸ Relief __ ▸ Liability __ ▸ Right of access __ ▸ Right to humanitarian initiative __ Das 19. However, it was at this point in history that a movement gained energy to codify martial law and modern international humanitarian law was born. International jurists question the Lieber Code (a document written to control the behavior of Union troops during the American Civil War) because the first example of martial law codification, named after Francis Lieber (1800-1872), a German-American professor of politics and law at Columbia University, New York, who commissioned Lincoln to write a textbook written in 1863 for the United States Union Army during the American War. (1861-1865). This code was the main code with a set of instructions for forces on the ground that regulated martial law and customs.
The 157 articles of the code were based on the ideas of the Enlightenment, as they stressed, for example, that armed enemies should be attacked, that unarmed civilians and their property should be respected, and that prisoners and wounded should also be treated humanely. A merchant named Henry Dunant of Geneva, Switzerland, witnessed the battle of 40,000 Austrian, French and Italian soldiers during the Italian Unification War, who were wounded on the battlefield of Solferino in 1859. Since 1949, the humanitarian principles of humanity and impartiality have been an integral part of IHL, the law applicable in armed conflict. They articulate the concepts of military necessity with humanitarian imperatives. The principles of humanity and impartiality are complemented by the principle of neutrality related to the civilian status protected by IHL granted to humanitarian interventions and humanitarian personnel. They also form the basis for other operational principles of international humanitarian law applicable to assistance interventions in situations of armed conflict. International humanitarian law is the branch of international law that seeks to limit the destruction and suffering caused by armed conflict. It lays down the principle of Article 22 of the Hague Convention on Land War. Much of international humanitarian law is contained in the Geneva Conventions of 1949. This principle, the cornerstone of humanitarian assistance, has two complementary aspects: UN resolutions on armed conflict refer to the four humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.
The principles derive both from customary international law and from the sources discussed in module 3, in particular the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the two Additional Protocols of 1977. Humanity is identified and defined by its sole intention and purpose to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may occur; To protect life and health and ensure respect for human beings. In order to guarantee the humanitarian character of an aid organization or relief operation, it must be possible to demonstrate that humanity is the only concern taken into account.