what are the fundamental principles of the law of armed conflict (loac)?

It also explicitly refers to the principle of State consent to humanitarian assistance and respect for State sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity. It acknowledges that humanitarian assistance must be provided according to the principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality but does not mention independence. The 1991 UN Guiding principles for humanitarian assistance refers to a broader set of 12 general principles that have been designed for natural disaster and emergencies rather than for situation of armed conflict. UN resolutions relating to armed conflict refers to the four humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

IHL refers to humanity and impartiality as core imperatives for humanitarian organizations in addition to neutrality and independence and of other specific operational principles applicable to their humanitarian activities. ☞ The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement refer to seven fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. Their interpretation, contextual implementation and articulation with other principles requires a clear understanding of what is at stakes beyond the agreed terminology. These four principles are the cardinal points of a compass which is essential for dealing with the operational and ethical dilemmas of humanitarian action. They each have a legal, ethical, and operational dimension that must not be dissociated.

The fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence constitute the four common principles to international humanitarian law (IHL) and to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, as well as to United Nations resolutions and other regional organisation such as the European Union and the African Union. They establish what are the acceptable conditions under which humanitarian action can be safely provided for the benefit of populations and territories affected by violence and armed conflict.

Humanitarian principles are among the oldest reference governing humanitarian action in terms of both its fundamental character as well as in its practical deployment.

What are the fundamental principles of the law of armed conflict (loac)?