Law Of War Flashcards
Law of War defines
- that part of war that regulates the conduct of armed hostilities.
- The purpose is to prevent unnecessary suffering, safeguard certain fundamental human rights of those involved in a conflict, and to ultimately restore peace.
What are the Principles of the Law of War
- Military necessity
- Proportionality
- Avoid unnecessary suffering
- Distinction
Evolution and development of Law of War
- Hague Convention of 1907
2. Geneva Convention of 1949
What are Combatants
- Members of the armed forces.
- Members of a regular militia or volunteer units.
- Members of guerrilla units.
- Levee en Masse (members of a non-occupied nation who take up arms against an enemy).
What are the Characteristics of Combatants
- Wearing of a fixed and distinct uniform.
- Open carriage of arms.
- Acting under the command of a responsible leader.
- Obeying the law of war
What are Noncombatants
. those who may accompany combatants but do not perform in that capacity. Examples include: • Correspondents. • Technical personnel. • Contractors. • Medical personnel. • Chaplains. • Other civilians
The law of war states Noncombatants
may not be the
sole subjects of an attack, and warring parties must
minimize damage to any noncombatant or civilian
population involved.
Whatare spies?
- as those who act under false pretenses in order to obtain information and communicate that information back to a hostile or potentially hostile party.
- is not a violation of the law of war, but agents captured are prosecutable under the laws of the nation in which they are captured.
- are not a protected partyunder the law of war.
Terrorists, Insurgents, Saboteurs, Partisans
- are not protected by the law of war.
- The only exception to this rule is if the parties act in line with the definition of a protected combatant, they must:
• Wear a distinguishable or distinct uniform.
• Openly carry arms.
• Act under a distinguishable leader while they themselves operate under the law of war.
- The following rules dictate our handling of detained persons:
STRESS Search Tag Report Evacuate Segregate Silence
What are Protected Places
- Protected places are buildings or structures that are not
considered valid military targets. Examples of these structures are:
• Hospitals.
• Churches.
• Mosques.
______________only to be used for their intended use, such as marking targets and terminal guidance of munitions.
Lasers
_______________The Marine Corps defines small arms ammunition as those of 40mm size and below.
Small Arms Munitions
__________________are lawful as long as utilized in a manner that does not cause unnecessary suffering
Incendiaries
• Napalm.
• Flame-throwers.
• White phosphorus
________________is legal as long as it is not used in an illegal manner such as against a protected structure.
Fragmentary ammunition
______________Weapons in this category (such as Claymore mines) are authorized with the premise that suffering is minimized.
Landmines and Booby Traps
____________(such as pepper spray and tear gas) are incapacitating agents. Presidential approval is the only authorization that allows these weapons to be used.
Riot Control Agents Riot control agents