Law of War Flashcards
Block 4
What are three statuses of personnel in LOW?
Combatants, noncombatants, and civilians.
What is a combatant?
person engaged in hostilities against the US or its coalition partners during an armed conflict.
What are two types of combatants?
Lawful and unlawful.
Lawful combatants
May be tried for breaches of LOW, and if captured are entitled to POW status.
Unlawful combatants
Not entilited to POW status. Maybe killed or wounded and if captured may be tried as war criminals for LOW violations.
What is a non-combatant?
person not engaged in hostilities against the US or its coalition partners.. Chaplain’s, medical personnel, medical and dental officers, technicians and corpsmen, and nurses.
Civilians
Civilians and civilian property are protected and may not be the object of direct attack.
Military Necessity
Application of only that degree of regulated force, not otherwise prohibited by the laws of war, required for the partial or complete submission of the enemy with the least expenditure of life, time, and physical resources.
Humanity
Forbids the infliction of unnecessary suffering, injury, or destruction not necessary for legitimate military purposes.
Proportionality
Requires the expected loss of civilian life and damage to civilian property incidental to attack not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated from striking the target. Does not apply to military facilities and forces.
Distinction
Distinguish between civilians and combatant forces when engaged in military operations and between unprotected and protected objects. Places of worship, schools, dwellings, medical facilities.
Honor
No nation may use perfidy to trick the enemy. Lawful ruses are okay.
Red Cresent
First used by Turkey. Adapted by the ICRC for majority-muslium countries.
Red crystal
For societies which do not use one of the recognized symbols for their emblems.
