Protection of civilians in armed conflicts under international humanitarian law

Abstract

In every armed conflict, civilians always sustain the most severe consequences, from massacre, torture, rape, enslavement or other humanitarian disasters such as starvation or lack of medical care, etc Therefore, the protection of civilians is always regarded as one of the most fundamental objectives and contents of international humanitarian law. This article aims at claryfing two issues. First, the theory on civil protection in armed conflict is presented, especially the notion of civilians; sources of law regulating civilian protection; and the principles of protection of civilians. Second, the content of the international humanitarian law on protection of civilians in armed conflicts is prescribed, employing the rules of force used, the obligation of humanitarian support of the parties to the war, and the conditions from which the protection of civilians terninated.