![]() Implications for weapons of mass destruction Some philosophers say that there are no non-combatants in war, and that every citizen of an enemy state is a legitimate target. They aren't combatants in the sense of bearing arms, but they are an essential part of the war machine and constitute a threat to the other side. civilians who are helping the war effort - these are people working to supply the troops and to provide them with weapons or helping in other ways.Civilians whose work keeps the country alive - farmers, miners, transport workers, and so on should not be treated as combatants, even though their work also supports those who are involved in waging war. ![]() such personnel are often injured or killed because their job takes them into the most dangerous parts of the battle.military personnel clearly identified as having specifically non-combatant roles such as medical staff and chaplains.although soldiers who surrender shouldn't be killed, it's quite legitimate to make them prisoners so that they can't attack you again.this hasn't always been so - armies used to make a point of butchering enemy wounded or those who surrendered.soldiers who have been wounded or who have surrendered.International conventions specify that countries should not allow children under 15 to participate in hostilities or to be recruited into the armed forces.child soldiers are becoming more common in terrorist conflicts and third world armies.the "powder monkeys" in warships in the days of sail but children were historically used as combatants, e.g.unless they do something incompatible with their neutral status - like fighting for one of the armies involved in the conflict as a mercenary soldier.anyone who takes up arms in the conflict, other than in direct self-defence.members of guerrilla forces (even though not in uniform).While there is general agreement that only combatants are legitimate targets, the issue of who actually is a combatant is much less clear. it is unjust to attack indiscriminately, as non-combatants may be killed.This can be developed into two principles: This includes direct attacks on civilians and indiscriminate attacks against areas in which civilians are present. The Geneva Convention lays down that civilians are not to be subject to attack. Those who are not fighting should not be attacked as this would violate their human rights. The general rule is that only those people fighting you are legitimate targets of attack. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |