The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening international humanitarian law (IHL). As a specialized structure of the ICRC, the Advisory Service furthers the participation in and national implementation of IHL treaties by States. With a global network of legal advisers, it complements the work of national authorities by advising States on specific domestic implementation measures required to give effect to their IHL obligations. The Advisory Service provides legal advice and technical support, assists in capacity building efforts, and facilitates the exchange of information on national measures of implementation. It also supports the work of national IHL bodies established by States to improve IHL implementation processes at the domestic level. The Advisory Service discharges its mandate through a broad variety of means, ranging from bilateral contacts, to working with international and regional organisations, hosting expert workshops and regional or national meetings for Government representatives, and developing tools and specialized documents. In particular, it actively encourages States to ratify the ICC Statute and works with them on the review or, when necessary, the amendment of their existing national legislation to ensure they meet their obligations under IHL and international criminal law.
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http://www.icrc.org/eng/war-and-law/ihl-domestic-law/index.jsp
http://www.icrc.org/ihl-nat, INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS*