3 Framing the Negotiations

3.1 Overview

Humanitarian principles, humanitarian policies and international law provide a framework and source of guidance for humanitarian negotiations with armed groups. They can be potent tools for humanitarian negotiators to: (i) define boundaries within which to seek agreement; (ii) assist in generating options for consideration during negotiations; (iii) provide reference benchmarks for evaluation of options and monitoring implementation; (iv) frame the legal obligations of armed groups; and (v) provide incentives for armed groups to negotiate.

This chapter briefly reviews humanitarian principles, humanitarian policies, and relevant provisions of international law, and suggests practical ways in which they can guide humanitarian negotiations with armed groups.