International humanitarian law and civilian protection: the case for internally displaced persons

Current norms for the protection of internally displaced persons is richly influenced by principles entrenched in international humanitarian law as applicable to civilians and non-combatants who are not actively involved in the prosecution of wars.These principles though not specifically directed at this category of persons per se is no doubt of paramount importance to them being victims of armed violence occurring within the borders of their own country.This paper keenly examines legal implications of international humanitarian law rule applicable to non-international armed conflicts to situations of internal displacement with the view to identifying the extent to which the rules and principles can be applied to fan protection for internally displaced persons beyond the parameters set out in the standard setting norms on internal displacement.This conceptual discourse is significant as it contributes to the need to engage in more insightful thoughts on alternate ways of strengthening protection and assistance of internally displaced persons