Humanitaarõigusnormid

Humanitaarõigusnormid, also known as the laws of war or international humanitarian law (IHL), constitute a set of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons. They are primarily designed to protect persons who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities and to restrict the means and methods of warfare. The core principle of humanitaarõigusnormid is to strike a balance between military necessity and humanitarian concerns.

These norms apply in situations of armed conflict, both international and non-international. Key provisions include the protection of civilians, prisoners of war, wounded and sick soldiers, and medical personnel. IHL also prohibits certain weapons and tactics that cause unnecessary suffering or are indiscriminate. The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are the foundational treaties of humanitaarõigusnormid, supplemented by various other international agreements and customary international law.

The enforcement of humanitaarõigusnormid relies on state parties to uphold their obligations, as well as international mechanisms such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and international criminal tribunals. Violations of IHL are considered war crimes and can lead to individual criminal responsibility. The continuous development and application of these norms aim to mitigate the suffering caused by armed conflict and uphold a degree of humanity even in the most extreme circumstances.