ICRC president speaking to the UN Security Council during Protection of Civilians Week

account_balance ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross business International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) place Geneva

Dehumanizing language is not just rhetoric. It can make war crimes easier to justify.

Speaking to the UN Security Council during Protection of Civilians Week, ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric warned that when people are portrayed as less than human, the limits meant to prevent atrocities are weakened - and the enemy is given a green light to do the same.

International humanitarian law exists to preserve limits in war and protect our shared humanity.