Law of Armed Conflict Overview

Study Notes

Religious Personnel

Religious personnel exclusively engaged in religious ministry are allowed to carry weapons for self-defense

Religious Objects

All objects or articles of religious nature are protected

Prisoner of War (POW)

A POW is any lawful combatant or person (such as medical personnel) recognized under the Geneva Conventions
Combatants who surrender are entitled to POW status

Warship

A warship belongs to a state's armed forces and is marked with the state's nationality
Warships are commanded by a commissioned officer and the crew is enlisted under regular armed forces discipline

Prohibited

Any combat actions or weapon types that are completely disallowed under the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC)

Restricted

Combat actions and weapon types that can be used under specific predefined situations
According to the text, all combat actions and weapons are at minimum restricted due to the four basic principles of LOAC

Non-Combatants

Non-combatants include a diverse group of people
Examples include: non-resisting civilians, combatants who are hors de combat (prisoners of war, wounded, sick, shipwrecked), armed forces members with special status (chaplains, medical personnel), and civilians accompanying the armed forces

Medical Personnel

Medical personnel are members of the armed forces exclusively assigned to all medical care/activities
Medical personnel may carry weapons for self-defense and to protect those under their care from marauders or other unlawful attack

Medical Establishments

Hospitals and medical depots

Medical Transport

Transport for medical search, rescue, and evacuation by land, sea, and air

Medical Material

Equipment and resources used for providing medical care and services

Merchant Vessel

Any vessel besides a warship, auxiliary vessel, or government vessel (like customs or police vessels) that is operating commercially or privately

Combatant Definition

A combatant engages in hostile acts during an armed conflict on behalf of a party to the conflict
A lawful combatant is authorized by the competent authority of the party

Civilian "Combatants"

Inhabitants of a non-occupied territory who, when the enemy approaches, spontaneously and en masse, take up arms to expel the enemy from their territory
Also known as a "levée en masse"
A levée en masse doesn't necessarily need an organization, command structure, or a distinctive sign, but members must carry arms openly and be compliant with the rules of armed conflict

Mercenaries

Individuals who participate in armed conflicts solely for financial compensation
Mercenaries are considered criminals under international law, with an exception for members of the French Foreign Legion
Members of the French Foreign Legion are commissioned to serve France and may not be treated like other mercenaries
If captured, mercenaries may be tried and punished in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, for participating in hostilities when not entitled to do so

Non-Defended Areas and Localities

Any area or location left open by declaration for enemy occupation without the need for military action
If a town, city, or other location has been declared "non-defended," it would mean that that locality is open for own forces and the enemy alike, but that no hostile use may be made of that locality

Demilitarised Zone

An area from which all combatants, mobile weapons, and military equipment have been evacuated
No hostile use is made of the remaining fixed military installations and no hostile acts may be committed by the authorities or civilian population
All activity linked to the military effort has ceased in this zone/area

Rules of Engagement

Directives (rules) spelling out the circumstances and limitations under which a military force will initiate and/or continue combat engagement with other forces encountered
Rules of Engagement (ROE) are drafted for internal and/or peacetime use (standing ROE), as well as for specific operations
Drafted by the senior commander(s) of an operation/task force with the aid of legal advisors

War Booty

Captured enemy military objects, excluding personnel ID cards and insignia, medical and religious objects, as well as objects necessary for the survival of the captured population.

Description

This quiz covers key principles and definitions related to the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), including the roles of religious personnel, protections for religious objects, and the status of prisoners of war. Test your knowledge on what actions and weapons are prohibited or restricted under international law.