PA-21 Law of Armed Conflict

Question 1

State your responsibilities as a professional military officer for reporting a violation of the Law of Armed Conflict.

Answer 1

Report the violation to your immediate commander (lowest ranking individual with command responsibilities). not always supervisor If commander involved in incident, report should be made to the next higher person with command authority. Commander will then consult the Staff Judge Advocate and proper investigative

Question 2

Name the two series of treaties that have the greatest influence on the Law of Armed Conflict.

Answer 2

The Hague Conventions – 1899, 1907; first formal statements of the laws of war and war crimes in the body of secular international law

The Geneva Conventions – 4 treaties, 3 protocols; established the standards of international law for the humanitarian treatment of war

Question 3

List the people who are entitled to Prisoner of War status under the Law of Armed Conflict.

Answer 3

Members of a nation’s military force (armed; subject to mil disciplinary sys(COC))
Militia and volunteer units; mercenaries
Members of an armed force of a government not recognized by the detaining power
Members of force of a country who has not officially declared war
Those who do not engage in acts of war ( civilians who accompany mil; news correspondents; tech representatives; supply contractors)
Civilians defending homeland

Question 4

Identify personnel considered “protected persons.”

Answer 4

Medical and religious personnel

Question 5

State when aircraft can attack targets located in an area densely populated with civilians.

Answer 5

When overall military gains from the attack outweigh the risks posed to the civilian population. Defending country responsible for ensuring that populace is removed from key military targets

Question 6

Identify the types of economic sanctions available to enforce the laws of war.

Answer 6

Boycotts
Blockades
Embargoes
Seizure of property