International and Non-International Armed Conflicts and Application of International Humanitarian Law as Lex Specialis

Does the distinction between international and non-international armed conflicts still exist or has it been virtually eliminated? If there are no distinctions and same set of rules govern both international and non-international armed conflicts, will the international humanitarian law apply as the lex specialis to the exclusion of the international human rights law in all armed conflicts, whether international or noninternational in character? This article addresses these issues with the help of legal instruments and case laws.