International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and its Principle:

It is a set of rules which seek for humanitarian reasons to limit the effects of armed conflict. It is a branch of international law which seeks to limit the effects of war by

protecting those who are not  participating in war and by restricting and regulating the means and methods of warfare available to combatants. It regulates the conduct of war.

Objectives of IHL:

1. To protect people who are not taking part in war.

2. To protect people who are no longer taking part in war.

3. To protect civilian population.

4. To restrict the means and methods of warfare.

Principle of IHL :

1. Principle of Distinction:

It protect civilian population and civilian objects from the effects of military operations. It demands the distinction between military combatants and civilians.

2. Principle of Proportionality

It limits and protects the potential harm to civilians caused by the military advantage. It prohibits attacks which cause loss of civilian life, injury to civilians, damage to civilian objects or combination of both.

3. Principle of Humane treatment

It demands that civilians should be treated humanely at all times. It prohibits violence to life and person including cruel treatment and torture, taking hostages and execution without regular trial against non-combatants. Civilians are entitled to respect for their physical and mental integrity, their honor, family rights, religious convictions and practices and their manners and customs.

4. Principle of Non-Discrimination:

It is the core principle of IHL. The treatment of prisoners of war, civilians and wounded, sick or shipwrecked persons should be done without any discrimination based on race, sex, nationality, religious belief or political opinion.

5. Principle of Military Necessity

It permits measures which are necessary to accomplish a legitimate military purpose and are not prohibited by the IHL. In the case of an ared conflict, the only legitimate military purpose is to weaken the military capacity of the other parties.

6. Protection of attacks against sick, wounded and shipwrecked

All wounded and sick whether combatant or non combatant should be respected and protected. All possible measures should be taken to search for and collect the wounded and the sick.

7. Prohibition on the infliction of unnecessary suffering

It prohibits the infliction of unnecessary suffering and superfluous injury. Under this protection, even fighters who may be lawfully attacked are provided protection.

8. Protections of detainees

Persons detained for reasons related to the conflict should have their life and dignity protected. They are allowed as a minimum healthcare, food, hygiene, appropriate shelter, minimal judicial guarantees, decent working condition, freedom to practice their religion.