International Humanitarian Law

Question 2

International Military C’ssn, 1868:
“The progress of civilization should have the effect of
alleviating as much as possible the calamities of war
… the only legitimate object which states should
endeavour to accomplish during war is to weaken the
military forces of the enemy.”
For this reason, it would be “sufficient to disable the
greatest possible number of men… This object would
be exceeded by the employment of arms which
uselessly aggravate the sufferings of disabled men, or
render their death inevitable.”
The employment of such weapons “would, therefore,
be contrary to the laws of humanity.”