What are the international norms on armed conflict?

International norms on armed conflict are laws that have been established by the international community to protect civilians and reduce the amount of harm and destruction during a conflict. These norms are found in international agreements such as the Geneva Conventions and the United Nations Charter. The first international norm on armed conflict is known as the Principle of Distinction. This states that civilians should never be targets of attack and all attacks must be directed at legitimate military targets. This means that it is illegal to target noncombatants, hospitals, schools and other places that are protected under the Geneva Conventions. The second international norm is known as the Principle of Proportionality. This states that the force used in any conflict must be proportional to the threat posed to the attacker. It is not acceptable to use disproportionate force in response to a threat and it is illegal to use tactics that are considered to be excessive or unnecessary. The final international norm on armed conflict is the Prohibition on the Use of Certain Weapons. This states that certain weapons, such as poisonous gas, nuclear weapons and landmines, are illegal to use in any conflict. These weapons are considered to be too dangerous and destructive and so their use is strictly forbidden. These international norms are important in protecting civilians and limiting the destruction caused by a conflict. They are also intended to ensure that international law is respected and that all parties involved are held accountable for their actions. In Florida, all international agreements must be respected and it is a criminal offence to violate these norms.

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What are the international norms on armed conflict?

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