To have access to civilians in need, humanitarian organizations must deliver humanitarian assistance with the consent of the belligerent parties concerned. Such consent cannot be arbitrarily withheld. In cases where a party imposes a siege, blockade or embargo which has the effect of starving the civilian population, the party is obliged to give its consent.

In international armed conflicts, the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Protecting Powers must have access to prisoners of war or protected persons. In non-international armed conflicts, the consent of the belligerent parties is required for these representatives to have access to persons deprived of their liberty for reasons related to the conflict.

See Humanitarian assistanceCiviliansCivilian populationInternational Committee of the Red CrossProtecting PowersHumanitarian organizations;

OUTLINE

LEGAL SOURCES

for delegates of Protecting Powers

GCI, 8 (see ICRC updated Commentary)

GCII, 8 (see ICRC updated Commentary)

GCIII, 8 

GCIV, 9

for delegates of the ICRC

GCIII, 126/4

GCIV, 143/5

to humanitarian activities of the ICRC and other humanitarian organisations

GCI, 9 (see ICRC updated Commentary)

GCII, 9 (see ICRC updated Commentary)

GCIII, 9

GCIV, 10

PI, 81/1

to assistance by civil defence organisations of neutral or third States

PI, 64/1

to relief actions

PI, 70/1

PII, 18/2

CIHL, 55-56

CASES