The Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), also called International Humanitarian Law (IHL), is a set of rules made to protect people during wars. This is especially important for civilians, who are not part of the fighting. Here are some key ideas:
Distinction: People fighting in a war must tell the difference between military targets and civilians. They are not allowed to attack civilians. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), about 90% of the people hurt in wars since the 1990s have been civilians.
Proportionality: Any military action should consider the good it might do compared to potential harm to civilians. Even if a target is okay to hit, you can’t cause too much damage to innocent people. In 2020, the United Nations found that airstrikes in war zones caused 40% of civilian injuries, showing how important this balance is.
Necessity: Using force should only happen if it’s needed to reach a real military goal. Attacks that do not follow this rule can be considered war crimes.
Humane Treatment: Civilians and non-fighting people must be treated kindly. Their treatment shouldn’t change based on race, background, or religion.
Accountability: If someone breaks these laws, like attacking civilians, they can be taken to court at international tribunals. Between 1993 and 2019, the International Criminal Court has taken on many cases about war crimes, which shows that these laws are enforced.
Following these rules is very important to reduce suffering for civilians during wars and to keep respect for human rights, even in tough times. The principles in LOAC not only aim to lessen the damage caused by armed conflicts but also to protect human dignity in the midst of chaos.
The Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), also called International Humanitarian Law (IHL), is a set of rules made to protect people during wars. This is especially important for civilians, who are not part of the fighting. Here are some key ideas:
Distinction: People fighting in a war must tell the difference between military targets and civilians. They are not allowed to attack civilians. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), about 90% of the people hurt in wars since the 1990s have been civilians.
Proportionality: Any military action should consider the good it might do compared to potential harm to civilians. Even if a target is okay to hit, you can’t cause too much damage to innocent people. In 2020, the United Nations found that airstrikes in war zones caused 40% of civilian injuries, showing how important this balance is.
Necessity: Using force should only happen if it’s needed to reach a real military goal. Attacks that do not follow this rule can be considered war crimes.
Humane Treatment: Civilians and non-fighting people must be treated kindly. Their treatment shouldn’t change based on race, background, or religion.
Accountability: If someone breaks these laws, like attacking civilians, they can be taken to court at international tribunals. Between 1993 and 2019, the International Criminal Court has taken on many cases about war crimes, which shows that these laws are enforced.
Following these rules is very important to reduce suffering for civilians during wars and to keep respect for human rights, even in tough times. The principles in LOAC not only aim to lessen the damage caused by armed conflicts but also to protect human dignity in the midst of chaos.