IASC Discussion Paper and Non-Binding Guidelines on the Use of Military or Armed Escorts for Humanitarian Convoys, 2001

This document is a draft guideline on the use of military and armed escorts for humanitarian convoys. The distinction between military targets and non-military targets has often been problematic. Even when there has not been a deliberate attempt to target civilians, civilians have increasingly been the victims of ‘area weapons’, including the aerial bombardment of populated areas.

The paper consists of two parts:

1)     Part one reviews the broader policy context. It concludes that, due to changes in the nature of conflict and in the nature of humanitarian assistance, military or armed escorts are necessary, in a limited number of cases. In these instances, they should be used sparingly, and only in accordance with clear guidelines.

2)     Part two consists of two sets of non-binding guidelines: one on when escorts might be used, the other on how they might be used.