Lights and Shadows of International Humanitarian Law from Spain and Türkiye

The evolution of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has been fundamental in the construction of a normative framework that seeks to limit the effects of armed conflict and protect those affected by it. Through instruments such as the Geneva Conventions, the Additional Protocols and Customary International Law, IHL has established rules to regulate the methods and means of warfare and to ensure the humane treatment of civilians, prisoners of war and others affected in conflict situations. This body of law is vital in contexts of humanitarian crisis and mass displacement, where the principles of protection and assistance to the most vulnerable are essential.

Spain and Turkey, two countries with diverse geopolitical and cultural contexts, represent distinct examples of how IHL is implemented and promoted. Both have played an active role in promoting these norms, although their approaches and priorities differ according to the political, social and security realities they each face. Turkey, due to its location in a conflict region and its direct involvement in border management and the control of migratory flows, applies IHL with an intensive approach adapted to its national security context. Spain, for its part, has concentrated its efforts on international cooperation and peace missions, promoting respect for and application of IHL in situations of external conflict and humanitarian aid.

This comparison between the two countries provides insight into how IHL adapts to different contexts and needs, illustrating the flexibility of these norms and their ability to respond to the specific demands and challenges faced by each country. This analysis explores the roles and contributions of Spain and Turkey in promoting IHL, examining the similarities and differences in its implementation and the factors that influence its interpretation and application in different geopolitical and operational settings.