International Law

Together with its European and transatlantic partners, Germany is deeply committed to the causes of democracy, development and human rights. One key component in achieving these goals is the protection of and adherence to international law.

Building of the International Criminal Court, The Hague, (c) picture-alliance/dpa

International Criminal Court

Everywhere around the world justice is a prerequisite for internal peace. A quantum leap in the development of international law was taken with the adoption of a statute for the International Criminal Court.

Holocaust Memmorial, Berlin, (c) picture-alliance/Paul Mayall

Historic Responsibility

The two key parameters of German foreign policy are “never again” and “never alone“. “Never again” is to be seen against the background of German history and rejects authoritarian and expansion-oriented politics. “Never alone” signifies Germany’s firm embedding in the community of Western democracies.

Historic Responsibility

German Humanitarian Aid in Bukavu, Congo, (c) picture alliance/dpa

International Humanitarian Law

International humanitarian law is a very important part of international law relating to times of armed conflict. Its purpose is to limit the suffering war causes by affording victims the maximum possible protection and assistance.

German Armed Forces in Afghanistan, (c) picture alliance/dpa

Legal Status of Forces in Germany and Abroad

When discussing the status of military forces a distinction must be drawn between the legal status of foreign forces in Germany and the legal status of the German armed forces abroad.

International Law