Frits Kalshoven is Professor Emeritus of Public International Law and of International Humanitarian Law at Leiden University. In 2003, he was awarded the Henry Dunant Medal of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for his continued effort to improve the knowledge of and respect for the law of war. Liesbeth Zegveld is a partner at Böhler Advocaten, Amsterdam, where she specialises in legal remedies for war victims. Since September 2006 she has also been Professor of International Humanitarian Law at Leiden University, focusing in particular on the rights of women and children during armed conflict.

• 1. Introduction; 2. The main currents: the Hague, Geneva, New York; 3. The law before the Protocols of 1977; 4. The Protocols of 1977; 5. Post-1977 developments; 6. Conclusion.

Frits Kalshoven is Professor Emeritus of Public International Law and of International Humanitarian Law at Leiden University. In 2003, he was awarded the Henry Dunant Medal of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for his continued effort to improve the knowledge of and respect for the law of war. Liesbeth Zegveld is a partner at Böhler Advocaten, Amsterdam, where she specialises in legal remedies for war victims. Since September 2006 she has also been Professor of International Humanitarian Law at Leiden University, focusing in particular on the rights of women and children during armed conflict.

• 1. Introduction; 2. The main currents: the Hague, Geneva, New York; 3. The law before the Protocols of 1977; 4. The Protocols of 1977; 5. Post-1977 developments; 6. Conclusion.