No doubt: The relationship between humanitarian and military activities, and cooperation between those engaged in them, occupy and important place in the current international debate on crisis management. However, is it a “new” phenomenon in international law? In fact, there is nothing really “new” about civil—military relations—at least from an international law perspective. Indeed, the factual and legal environment may have changed in the course of time: from nineteenth century “Humanitarian Concerns” to twenty-first century “Civil-Military (CIMIC) Doctrines”. However, I argue that the basic legal parameters, which govern (or should govern) the relations between military and humanitarian actors engaged in belligerent and other crisis situations, have not. Humanitarian action must always be based on the principles of impartiality and non-partisanship and the dividing legal lines between civil and military action must remain clearly drawn.    «

No doubt: The relationship between humanitarian and military activities, and cooperation between those engaged in them, occupy and important place in the current international debate on crisis management. However, is it a “new” phenomenon in international law? In fact, there is nothing really “new” about civil—military relations—at least from an international law perspective. Indeed, the factual and legal environment may have changed in the course of time: from nineteenth century “Humanitarian C...    »