Principle of Distinction

Please visit www.redcross.org/ihl or www.rulesofwar.org for more information about the American Red Cross IHL Dissemination Program and to see similar videos and upcoming IHL events. If you are interested in volunteering with the American Red Cross please contact your American Red Cross regional office or visit www.redcross.org/volunteer

[@mahadarboe2905]

Good job

[@wareeshaazam1091]

I have a question about the principle of distinction- Article 48 of the Geneva Conventions says that the combatants are supposed to distinguish themselves from the civilians for example by wearing a uniform, what if the combatants purposefully stay in highly populated areas and the opposition launches an attack which results in civilians getting effected, will the opposition be held accountable for breaching ‘principle of distinction’? PLEASE do reply as soon as you can, I'll be grateful

[@sabingutan6397]

The rule of distinction is found in Articles 44 and 48 of Additional Protocol 1 of 1977. Article 51 contains additional rules for the protection of civilians, including the prohibition of actions using civilians as human shields. Even so, the adversary is not allowed to act in disregard of the rules of protection, being obliged to take all the measures provided by article 57 of AP1 (see paragraphs 7 and 8 of article 51).

[@vivavasquez]

yes

[@vivavasquez]

yes except if it is the USA or Israel carrying out the war crimes in which case nothing is done about it .