This period was characterized by the inception and development—which was later intensified, especially after World War II—of the international codification of the law of war, which was thus no longer exclusively customary.

The National Lifeboat Societies and State-maintained rescue services, members of the International Lifeboat Conference (ILC), unanimously adopted the report by their special working group on the protection of rescue craft in periods of armed conflicts. The report was drawn up after the meeting in Geneva from 16 to 18 April 1984 of that working group, comprising representatives of the ILC, of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It contains recommendations for improving the protection of rescue craft and their crews and of fixed coastal installations and staff of lifeboat institutions in periods of armed conflict.

Customary law concerning the protection of civilian populations against the effects of hostilities is essentially based on the rules of the law of The Hague. The general principle underlying it is set out in the Declaration of St. Petersburg (1868) which states “that the only legitimate object which States should endeavour to accomplish during war is to weaken the military forces of the enemy”.

At its meeting on 9 May 1985, the Assembly of the International Committee of the Red Cross elected Mr. André Ghelfi as a member of the Committee.

The Republic of Senegal deposited with the Swiss Government, on 7 May 1985, the instruments of ratification, without reservation, of the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts (Protocol I) and non-international armed conflicts (Protocol II), adopted in Geneva on 8 June 1977.

Mr. Jean-Pierre Hocké, ICRC Director for Operational Activities, went on mission to Ethiopia from 24–30 April. While in Addis Ababa, he was received by Lieutenant Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam, Head of State and Chairman of the Provisional Military Administration Council. Their talks centred mainly on ICRC assistance to Ethiopia.