Chapter

Protection of civilians in the conduct of hostilities

Emanuela-Chiara Gillard

Routledge handbook of the law of armed conflict

London ; New York : Routledge, 2016

p. 157-180

English

International humanitarian law is based on the premise that war must be fought between combatants. Individual civilians and civilian populations enjoy general protection against dangers arising from military operations and in the conduct of military operations constant care must be taken to spare them. This chapter outlines a number of specific rules that give more detailed substance to this general principle, starting with the principle of distinction and including, inter alia, the prohibition of attacks against civilians, indiscriminate attacks and rules on precautions.

• Full text (restricted access : ICRC)

• Routledge handbook of the law of armed conflict / Ed. by Rain Liivoja and Tim McCormack