Making choicesRules of war - walking debate

2

Slide 5

> Look at each image scenario in turn and decide whether you think it is acceptable/unacceptable within the rules of war.

> …apply the principles of humane treatment, proportionality and distinction to each scenario where possible.

> …decide whether the actions are either legal or illegal in each case and move to the relevant part of the room.

Source: ICRC

Shooting enemy soldiersduring a conflict.

Shooting enemy soldiers who have surrended.

Source: Photo © Robert Capa/Magnum Photosfrom War is Brutal

                        

Shelling a hospital.

Source: BRCS © info

                        

Shelling a hospital from which snipers are killing your soldiers.

Source: BRCS © info

                        

Bombing military targets in a city – knowing that lots of civilians will be killed as well.

Source: Listening Eye Images

                        

Destroying the drinking water supply to a city.

Source: photobucket.com/images/waterfall

Shelling a Red Cross ambulance which is helping wounded enemy soldiers.

Source: ICRC © info

Source: ICRC © info

Torturing prisoners of war to obtain military information which will save many of your soldiers’ lives.

Source: ICRC © info

Destroying a dam to gain military advantage.

                        

Source: ICRC © info

Making prisoners of war clear landmines that they laid.

                        

Shooting at enemy soldiers who appear to be children

Source: JFP/Getty from Justice and Fairness

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Slide 5

ANSWERS (1)

> Shooting enemy soldiers during a conflict – legal

> Shooting enemy soldiers that have surrendered – Illegal (humane treatment and distinction)

> Shelling a hospital – Illegal (distinction)

> Shelling a hospital from which snipers are killing your soldiers – (proportionality) Dependent on circumstances: a hospital loses its protected status if used to commit acts harmful to the enemy, but an attack must be proportionate, i.e. the losses amongst protected people (the patients) must not be excessive compared to the importance of the military gain. The hospital must not be shelled if the sniper can be stopped with less destructive weapons. A warning must be given if possible.

Source: Humanitarian Education Pack - Module 4: Conflict

15

Slide 5

ANSWERS (2)

Source: Humanitarian Education Pack - Module 4: Conflict

> Bombing military targets in a city – knowing that lots of civilians will be killed as well – Illegal (proportionality)

if the attack is indiscriminate, i.e. if the incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and or damage to civilian objects would be in excessive relation to the expected military advantage.

> Destroying the drinking water supply to a city – Illegal (distinction)

> Shelling a Red Cross ambulance which is helping wounded enemy soldiers – Illegal (distinction)

> Torturing prisoners of war to obtain military information which will save many of your soldiers’ lives – Illegal (humane treatment)

> Destroying a dam to gain military advantage – Illegal (distinction)

16

Slide 5

ANSWERS (3)

Source: Humanitarian Education Pack - Module 4: Conflict

> Bombing military targets in a city – knowing that lots of civilians will be killed as well – Illegal (proportionality)

if the attack is indiscriminate, i.e. if the incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and or damage to civilian objects would be in excessive relation to the expected military advantage.

> Making prisoners of war clear landmines that they laid – Illegal (humane treatment)

It would be legal if they volunteer.

> Shooting at enemy soldiers who appear to be children – legal (But children under 15 should not be recruited into the armed forces.)