IHL

The application offers offline access to an extensive collection of over 80 documents concerning international humanitarian law (IHL), including the Geneva Conventions, their Additional Protocols, and the ICRC’s original and updated commentaries. It also encompasses the customary IHL rules identified by the ICRC’s 2005 study, alongside various related documents. The user interface supports eight languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, which can be easily selected from the side menu.

Installation and Updates

Upon downloading, the app operates fully offline. Users are advised to allow completion of the initial data fetching processes (“Fetching IHL Treaties data,” “Fetching customary IHL data,” and “Fetching PDF data”) within 1 to 3 minutes upon first opening the app. Should there be delays or crashes during this process, the following troubleshooting steps are recommended:

1. Ensure your device's operating system is fully updated.
2. Confirm a stable Wi-Fi connection.
3. Reopen the app and monitor the data fetching for all IHL treaties and documents.
4. If issues persist, uninstall the app.
5. Recheck steps 1 and 2.
6. Redownload and reinstall the app.
7. Repeat step 3.

IHL Treaties

The IHL treaties section is systematically categorized by topic, states parties, and date. Users can download ratification lists in PDF or Excel formats from the “States party to the main treaties” link. Each treaty features a dedicated homepage with introductory information and access to specific articles. The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols include both original and updated ICRC commentaries, while tapping on “About this text” divulges general details about each treaty. Selecting a state name under “State parties” will direct users to a compilation of all active treaties pertinent to that state.

Customary IHL

This section is organized by topic followed by specific rules, accessible only in English. Each rule is accompanied by a comprehensive explanation. For related practices concerning individual rules, users may navigate online via the “Related practice” feature at the top of the page; please note that an internet connection is required for this function.

Law and Policy Documents

The law and policy documents section aggregates public resources from both the ICRC and the International Red Cross and Crescent Movement (Movement) that elaborate on various IHL concepts and related matters. It is organized by document type, with all entries available in PDF format across multiple languages.

PDFs

Users can download PDF versions of treaties and documents, including volume I (rules) of the ICRC’s 2005 study, in any of eight supported languages, conditional on available translations. This option appears via a designated icon when viewing any document. Upon installation of the app, all PDFs available in the device’s selected language are automatically downloaded. It is advisable to use a separate PDF reader for optimal viewing.

Search Features

The app includes an overarching search function in addition to a “Find in page” feature for each document, enhancing navigability for users.

Bookmarks

Bookmarking is simplified through an icon located at the bottom of each page. Users can arrange bookmarks for easy access either from the homepage or side menu and create custom folders for organization.

Sharing Capabilities

A share button located at the bottom of every document allows users to disseminate content via email or social media platforms easily.

Feedback Mechanism

User feedback is welcomed; ratings on application stores are encouraged along with suggestions or observations directed to ihl_tools@icrc.org.