The Principles of Distinction form a core rule of international humanitarian law, requiring parties to an armed conflict to tell apart those who may be lawfully attacked from those who must be protected. Few ideas shape modern conduct in war more directly. This article explains what the rule means, where it comes from, how it…
The treatment of prisoners of war is one of the oldest concerns of the laws of armed conflict, shaping how captured combatants are held, fed, and released. Modern rules set minimum standards that apply even when fighting is intense. This article explains those standards in plain language. Captured fighters are removed from the battlefield, yet…
The Protection of Non-Combatants is one of the central goals of the laws of war, the body of rules that limits how armed conflicts may be fought. Non-combatants are people who do not take a direct part in hostilities, most often civilians, but also medical staff and those who have laid down their weapons. Everyday…
The Hague Laws of War are a body of international rules that govern how fighting may be conducted, including which weapons and tactics are permitted and how combatants must treat people who are not fighting. They are named after the Dutch city where the key diplomatic conferences were held. For everyday readers, the Hague rules…
The Geneva Conventions are a set of international treaties that establish minimum humanitarian standards for people affected by armed conflict. They protect wounded and sick soldiers, shipwrecked sailors, prisoners of war, and civilians caught in war zones. Their purpose is to limit suffering even when fighting cannot be avoided. Many Americans encounter these rules only…
International Humanitarian Law is the body of rules that restricts the means and methods of warfare and protects people who are not, or are no longer, taking part in hostilities. Its aim is to reduce suffering rather than to decide who is right in a conflict. This guide explains where these rules come from, the…