The rules of war, also known as international humanitarian law, are a set of international rules that regulate the conditions for initiating war and the conduct of warring parties. The rules of war are universal and protect all victims of armed conflicts, including civilians, and combatants who are injured, have been captured, or have surrendered. Here are some of the key rules of war:
- Protect those who are not fighting, such as civilians, medical personnel, or aid workers.
- Protect those who are no longer able to fight, like an injured soldier or a prisoner.
- Prohibit targeting civilians. Doing so is a war crime.
- Recognize the right of civilians to be protected from the dangers of war and receive the help they need. Every possible care must be taken to avoid harming them or their houses, or destroying their means of survival, such as water sources, crops, livestock, etc. .
- Mandate that the sick and wounded have a right to be cared for, regardless of whose side they are on.
- Specify that medical workers, medical vehicles, and hospitals dedicated to humanitarian work cannot be attacked.
- Prohibit torture and degrading treatment of prisoners.
- Specify that detainees must receive food and water and be allowed to communicate with their loved ones.
- Limit the weapons and tactics that can be used in war, to avoid unnecessary suffering.
- Explicitly forbid rape or other forms of sexual violence in the context of armed conflict.
The rules of war are based on consensus, and the content and interpretation of such laws are extensive. The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols form the basis of modern international humanitarian law, setting out how soldiers and civilians should be treated during war. Although they were adopted in 1949, the four Geneva Conventions continue to apply to armed conflicts today.
