What are the international norms on armed conflict?

International norms on armed conflict are established by the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, which are two sets of international treaties and laws that set the standards for how wars are conducted and how civilians and prisoners of war are treated. The four Geneva Conventions, which were first signed in 1949, set out the rules regarding protection of civilians, prisoners of war, wounded and sick soldiers, and other persons no longer able to take part in the hostilities. The Hague Conventions, signed in 1899 and 1907, deal with military issues such as the use of certain weapons (including chemical and biological weapons) and prohibited methods of warfare. At the heart of both sets of conventions is the notion of international humanitarian law, which is the law of armed conflict and its purpose is to limit suffering in war. This means that while governments are allowed to use force to protect their interests, they must do so within the limits of international law. This includes the use of only necessary and proportional means, while protecting civilians and their rights, and respecting the rights of prisoners of war. International humanitarian law also outlines the rules of war crimes, which are violations of the laws of war, and declares that those who commit war crimes are subject to prosecution. In the end, international humanitarian law is designed to protect people’s rights amid an armed conflict and ensure that human dignity and compassion are maintained.

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What are the international norms on armed conflict?

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