The Legal Status of Displaced Persons in International Humanitarian Law The Case of Sudan

Abstract

This study examines the legal status of internally displaced persons (IDPs) under the rules of International Humanitarian Law, focusing on Sudan as a case study of armed conflicts that generate widespread displacement. The paper highlights the international legal framework for the protection of IDPs, as well as the pivotal role played by the International Committee of the Red Cross in providing protection, humanitarian assistance, and disseminating the principles of international humanitarian law. The study also reviews the challenges facing the implementation of these rules, given the absence of a binding international authority and the weakness of national mechanisms. It analyzes the role of both national and international judiciaries—particularly the International Criminal Court—in prosecuting violations. The paper concludes by stressing the need to harmonize Sudanese legislation with international obligations and to enhance coordination between national and international actors to ensure effective protection for internally displaced persons.