Law of Armed Conflict

The Law of Armed Conflict serves multiple purposes, including regulating the use of force, protecting civilians and non-combatants, and ensuring the humane treatment of prisoners of war.

Geneva Convention I, adopted in 1864, is regarded as the cornerstone of international humanitarian law. It establishes the basic principles for the protection of wounded and sick soldiers in the field.

The principle of distinction requires parties to an armed conflict to distinguish between combatants and civilians, prohibit indiscriminate attacks, and take all feasible precautions to minimize collateral damage.

The principle of proportionality requires parties to an armed conflict to consider the anticipated military advantage of an attack against the potential harm to civilians, prohibit excessive force, and avoid unnecessary suffering.

The principle of military necessity permits the use of force only when necessary to achieve a legitimate military objective, prohibits unnecessary destruction or suffering, and requires parties to minimize collateral damage.

The principle of humanity requires parties to an armed conflict to treat all persons humanely, regardless of their status, prohibits torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and mandates the provision of medical care to the wounded and sick.

The principle of non-discrimination requires parties to an armed conflict to treat all persons equally, regardless of their race, religion, gender, or political affiliation, prohibits discrimination in the application of LOAC, and mandates the provision of equal protection to all civilians.

The principle of command responsibility requires commanders to prevent and punish war crimes committed by their subordinates, prohibits reprisals against civilians, and mandates the investigation and prosecution of war crimes.

The principle of accountability requires individuals to be held responsible for war crimes, prohibits impunity for war crimes, and mandates cooperation with international criminal tribunals.

The principle of reparation requires parties to an armed conflict to provide compensation to victims of war crimes, prohibits forced labor, and mandates the restoration of property and infrastructure damaged during armed conflict.

The principle of peace requires parties to an armed conflict to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict, prohibits the use of force as a means of settling disputes, and mandates negotiation in good faith.

The principle of neutrality requires states to remain neutral in armed conflicts, prohibits the provision of military assistance to belligerents, and mandates respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neutral states.

The principle of proportionality requires parties to an armed conflict to consider the anticipated military advantage of an attack against the potential harm to civilians, prohibit excessive force, and avoid unnecessary suffering.

The principle of military necessity permits the use of force only when necessary to achieve a legitimate military objective, prohibits unnecessary destruction or suffering, and requires parties to minimize collateral damage.

The principle of humanity requires parties to an armed conflict to treat all persons humanely, regardless of their status, prohibits torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and mandates the provision of medical care to the wounded and sick.