Chapter 10 – Armed Conflict

Necessity and Proportionality

Use force only when necessary and proportionate to the objective.

Distinction

Differentiate between combatants and civilians to avoid harm to non-combatants.

Humanity

Avoid unnecessary suffering and respect human dignity.

Lieber Code

Guidelines for conduct during battle, addressing distinction and protections for civilians.

International standards

Laws that apply to the conduct of warfare and the treatment of combatants and civilians.

Clara Barton

Founder of the Red Cross, established principles of distinction and humanity in warfare.

Hague Law

Laws governing the conduct of warfare, focusing on the treatment of combatants and civilians.

Geneva Conventions

International treaties ensuring humane treatment of war victims, including POWs.

Prisoner of War (POW)

A combatant captured by enemy forces, entitled to specific protections under international law.

Additional Protocol I

Restricts states from engaging in indiscriminate attacks and outlines legitimate military objectives.

Civilian protection

Civilians must be kept away from combat and their buildings should be clearly marked.

Combatant immunity

Legal protection for soldiers engaging against other soldiers, but not for actions against civilians.

Treatment of POWs

Captured combatants must receive medical assistance and humane treatment, similar to their own soldiers.

Military objectives

Criteria used to determine whether an attack is justified based on military necessity.

Hierarchical structure in combatants

Combatants should have a defined organization and follow the laws and customs of war.

Guerilla warfare

A style of combat where fighters do not adhere to standard military identifiers and tactics.

Legal combatants

Individuals who meet the criteria for combatants under international law and are entitled to protections.

Illegal combatants

Individuals engaged in combat without legal status; international law does not specify their treatment.

Civilians

Non-combatants who should not be targeted during armed conflict.

Discriminate attacks

Prohibited actions that deliberately target civilians or civilian objects.

Combatants hiding weapons

Combatants cannot conceal their arms unless they are preparing for an imminent attack.

Civilian necessities protection

Items essential for civilian survival, like food and medicine, are protected from attacks.

Marking civilian buildings

Civilian structures should be clearly identifiable to ensure their protection during wartime.

Sexual violence in war

Acts of sexual violence are not protected under combatant immunity and are subject to prosecution.

War orphans

Children whose parents died in war, protected under international humanitarian laws.

Conduct during active conflict

Rules governing the behavior of combatants when engaging in warfare.

Classification of fighters

Defining who is and isn't a combatant based on established legal criteria.