Resolution 3. International humanitarian law applicable to armed conflicts at sea

The 26th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent,

recalling Resolution VII of the 25th International Conference of the Red Cross, which called for further efforts as to the reaffirmation, clarification and development of international humanitarian law applicable to armed conflicts at sea,

noting the report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on this subject,

noting with satisfaction the efforts that have been made at the national level to draw up manuals specifying the content of international humanitarian law applicable to armed conflicts at sea,

particularly welcoming the completion of the San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea³ and its accompanying Explanation, and appreciating the efforts of the International Institute of Humanitarian Law of San Remo, the ICRC and the experts in the preparation of the Manual and the Explanation,

³ See IRRC, No. 309, November-December 1995, pp. 595-637.

1. urges States that have not yet done so to draft manuals on international humanitarian law applicable to armed conflicts at sea;

2. encourages States to take into account, whenever possible, the provisions of the San Remo Manual when drafting manuals and other instructions for their naval forces;

3. invites the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to promote knowledge of contemporary international humanitarian law applicable to armed conflicts at sea.