International humanitarian law (IHL; also known as the 'law of war' or the 'law of armed conflict') is a set of rules which seek to limit the effects of armed conflict. It's object and purpose is protect persons who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities, and it restricts the means and methods of warfare that belligerents may use. The topics that may be covered include: historical development; contemporary sources; types of armed conflict; individual status in IHL; protection of wounded, sick and shipwrecked; the law of belligerent occupation; means and methods of warfare; implementation, enforcement and accountability; relationship to other bodies of PIL, most especially international human rights law, international criminal law, and the law governing the use of force.