October 08, 2015

Since 150 years even war has rules

editor:	Murat Suner

U.S. President Barack Obama apologized to Doctors Without Borders for the American air attack that killed at least 22 people at a medical clinic in Afghanistan, and said the U.S. would examine military procedures to look for better ways to prevent such incidents.

Regardless, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) wants to ensure respect of international humanitarian law after the most deadly airstrike in its history. Hence, MSF international president Joanne Liu has called for an impartial and independent probe by the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC).

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, people have always used violence to settle disputes. And all cultures have always had the idea that there have to be limits on that violence, if we are to prevent wars from descending into barbarity.

More than 150 years the Geneva Convention agreed on rules protecting non-participants, prisoners and the wounded. These rules are set out in international humanitarian law.

Yes, even wars have limits. And attacking civilians constitutes a war crime. All parties in all conflicts should preserve what it means to be human, by complying with international humanitarian law.

You can help by sharing this video “Rules of War in a Nutshell”, which explains the basics of international humanitarian law.