Knowra International humanitarian law International humanitarian law International humanitarian law is the body of international rules that limits the effects of armed conflict and protects people who are not, or are no longer, participating in hostilities.
Distinction (international humanitarian law) : A rule requiring parties to armed conflict to distinguish civilians and civilian objects from combatants and military objectives. It directs attacks toward military objectives and away from civilians.
Geneva Conventions : Four 1949 treaties establishing protections for wounded and sick forces, shipwrecked forces, prisoners of war, and civilians during war. They provide the central treaty framework for protecting people affected by armed conflict.
Jus ad bellum : The body of international law governing when states may resort to force against other states. It concerns whether force may begin; humanitarian law governs conduct once armed conflict exists.
First Geneva Convention : The 1864 treaty requiring care for wounded and sick soldiers and protection for medical personnel and facilities in field armies. It marks an early treaty effort to protect the wounded during warfare.
Autonomous weapon : A weapon system that can select and engage targets without further human intervention after activation. Debate centers on whether such systems can comply with distinction and proportionality.
Proportionality (international humanitarian law) : A rule prohibiting attacks expected to cause excessive civilian harm compared with the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated. It limits incidental civilian harm even when an attack targets a military objective.
Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions : Treaties adopted in 1977 and 2005 that supplement the Geneva Conventions and develop rules for international and non-international armed conflicts. They expand protections and specify rules on methods and means of warfare.
International human rights law : International rules protecting individuals from abuses and requiring states to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights. It applies alongside humanitarian law during conflict, though their scope and rules differ.
Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 : International agreements addressing the conduct of hostilities, the means of warfare, and the rights and duties of belligerents. They codified rules on warfare that complement protections for conflict victims.
Cyberwarfare : The use of cyber operations to disrupt, damage, or exploit computer systems in connection with conflict. Its effects on civilian infrastructure challenge established ideas about attacks and damage.
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