Lesson 6

Question 1

What was the Lieber Code (1863)?

Answer 1

The first codified rules regulating humane treatment of enemy forces and civilians during war.

Question 2

What was the main focus of the 1864 Geneva Convention?

Answer 2

Protecting the wounded in armies in the field and obligating care for the sick and injured.

Question 3

What are the core provisions of the 1864 Geneva Convention?

Answer 3

Neutrality of the wounded, Red Cross symbol, obligation to care for the sick and wounded.

Question 4

What did the 1868 St. Petersburg Declaration prohibit?

Answer 4

Use of exploding bullets—first international ban on a specific weapon.

Question 5

What are the four Geneva Conventions of 1949?

Answer 5

Protection of wounded and sick on thf field of armed forces

Protection of wounded, sick, and shipwrecked at sea of armed forces

Treatment of prisoners of war

Protection of civilians in occupied territories

Question 6

What is Common Article 2 of the 1949 Conventions?

Answer 6

Applies to any armed conflict between states—even if war isn’t officially declared.

Question 7

What is Common Article 3 of the 1949 Conventions?

Answer 7

Applies to civil wars; sets minimum protections like banning torture and cruel treatment.

Question 8

What’s unique about Articles 2 and 3?

Answer 8

They are identically worded across all four Geneva Conventions.

Question 9

What is the First Additional Protocol (AP I)?

Answer 9

Expands protection in international armed conflicts and includes wars of national liberation.

Question 10

What are guerrilla fighters required to do under AP I?

Answer 10

Wear visible signs, openly carry arms during military engagements.

Question 11

Why did some states oppose AP I?

Answer 11

It recognized national liberation movements, which some feared legitimized guerrilla warfare.

Question 12

What does the Second Additional Protocol (AP II) cover?

Answer 12

Civil wars and insurgencies, with clearer rules than Article 3.

Question 13

What are the criteria for AP II to apply?

Answer 13

Rebels must be organized and control territory.

Question 14

Why did many countries refuse to ratify AP II?

Answer 14

Fear that it would legitimize insurgents.

Question 15

What are states required to do under IHL?

Answer 15

Suppress violations of the Geneva Conventions.

Question 16

What were the first international war crimes tribunals?

Answer 16

Nuremberg and Tokyo Tribunals (1945–46).

Question 17

What treaty established the International Criminal Court (ICC)?

Answer 17

The Rome Statute (1998).

Question 18

What crimes does the ICC prosecute?

Answer 18

Atrocities.
Genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression.

Question 19

What are the limits of the ICC?

Answer 19

Jurisdiction only applies to consenting states or UN referrals.

Question 20

What are hybrid tribunals?

Answer 20

Courts within affected countries, supported by international law (e.g. Extraordinary African Chambers).

Question 21

What is the main purpose of International Humanitarian Law (IHL)?

Answer 21

To regulate armed conflict by balancing military necessity with humanitarian protection.

Question 22

What types of conflicts does IHL apply to?

Answer 22

Both international and non-international armed conflicts.

Question 23

What are the 5 fundamental principles of IHL?

Answer 23

Distinction, Proportionality, Military Necessity, Humanity, Neutrality.

Question 24

What does the principle of Distinction mean in IHL?

Answer 24

It requires distinguishing between combatants and civilians; civilians must not be targeted.

Question 25

Define the Proportionality principle.

Answer 25

Harm to civilians must not be excessive in relation to the anticipated military advantage.

Question 26

What is Military Necessity?

Answer 26

Military operations must be necessary for achieving a legitimate military goal.

Question 27

What is the principle of Humanity in IHL?

Answer 27

Prohibits unnecessary suffering and cruelty in armed conflict.

Question 28

What is the principle of Neutrality?

Answer 28

Protects non-combatants and neutral parties from involvement in hostilities.

Question 29

Which treaties are most important in IHL?

Answer 29

The Geneva Conventions (1949) and Additional Protocols (1977).

Question 30

Does IHL apply to non-state actors?

Answer 30

Yes, it applies to both state and non-state actors in armed conflicts.

Question 31

What is the difference between jus ad bellum and jus in bello?

Answer 31

Jus ad bellum governs the legality of going to war; jus in bello governs conduct during war.

Question 32

What defines an International Armed Conflict (IAC)?

Answer 32

A conflict between two or more states, per Common Article 2 of the Geneva Conventions.

Answer 33

Yes, even without armed resistance.

Question 34

When are wars of national liberation considered IACs?

Answer 34

When fought against colonial domination, foreign occupation, or racist regimes (AP I).

Question 35

What defines a Non-International Armed Conflict (NIAC)?

Answer 35

Conflict between a state and non-state groups or between such groups, per Common Article 3 & AP II.

Question 36

What are the NIAC threshold criteria?

Answer 36

Organized armed groups, sustained violence, and (for AP II) territorial control.

Question 37

What’s the main difference between Common Article 3 and AP II?

Answer 37

Common Article 3 gives minimum protections; AP II provides broader protections but has stricter application conditions.

Question 38

What is an Internationalized Armed Conflict?

Answer 38

A civil war involving foreign state intervention or control.

Question 39

What are Transnational Armed Conflicts?

Answer 39

Conflicts involving cross-border non-state actors (e.g., Al-Qaeda, ISIS).

Question 40

Why are modern conflicts hard to classify?

Answer 40

Due to blurred lines between IACs and NIACs, asymmetric warfare, and evolving forms of violence.