International Humanitarian Law (IHL), or the law of armed conflict, is the body of international law dedicated to mitigating the brutal effects of armed conflict and preserving human dignity in wartime. Its cornerstones are the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. Our team at Legal Sandbox Georgia possesses deep expertise in this complex field, offering specialized legal advisory to government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure their activities fully comply with Georgia's international obligations and its national legislation.
Georgia's commitment to IHL is not confined to the ratification of international treaties; these norms are profoundly integrated into the national legal system. Chapter XLII of the Criminal Code of Georgia, "Crimes Against Peace and Security of Mankind," directly criminalizes war crimes as defined by the Rome Statute of the ICC. This means that grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions, such as attacks on civilians or the mistreatment of prisoners of war, constitute crimes directly under Georgian law and are punishable by national courts, underscoring the critical importance of knowing and adhering to IHL standards.
The lawyers on our team advise Georgia's defense and security sector on matters of operational law. This includes the development and legal review of Rules of Engagement (RoE) and ensuring that the targeting process during the planning of military operations aligns with the fundamental IHL principles of distinction, proportionality, precaution, and military necessity. We also design specialized training modules for military legal advisors and commanders to ensure their decisions meet the highest standards of International Humanitarian Law.
For humanitarian and civil society organizations, our support focuses on the safe and effective fulfillment of their mandates. We provide guidance on the legal protection mechanisms for humanitarian personnel, transport, and facilities; assist in negotiations with state authorities on securing humanitarian access; and offer counsel on the proper use of protected emblems (Red Cross/Red Crescent). Furthermore, we work on accountability mechanisms for IHL violations, including the legal aspects of national investigations and cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), thereby contributing to the fight against impunity.
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