IHL in Focus Annual Report: Assessing Compliance in Contemporary Armed Conflict: July 2023 - June 2024

The world stands on the brink of a profound crisis with respect to international humanitarian law. Violations — once seen as aberrations — are now persistent, widespread, and, perhaps most alarmingly, increasingly met with indifference or tacit acceptance by states. The very norms designed to protect civilians, the wounded, and those not participating in combat are eroding at an alarming rate, not only through the actions of those who violate them but through the inaction of those who should uphold them. This report documents the scale of these breaches and the growing complicity of inaction, underscoring the urgent need to reaffirm and reinforce the fundamental principles of humanity in armed conflict.

This annual report on IHL violations analyses 22 countries impacted by armed conflict. These situations by no means speak to the totality of war taking place in the world today. They do, however, highlight those conflicts exhibiting high volumes of military engagement, extensive civilian impact and serious IHL compliance concerns.

Etienne Henry contributed to the research and drafting of several section of this report.