Prohibition of Deliberate Attacks and the Right to Life
The prohibition of deliberate attacks and the right to life are closely linked principles in international humanitarian law and human rights law.
Under international humanitarian law, which governs armed conflicts, deliberate attacks targeting civilians or civilian objects are generally prohibited. The principle of distinction requires parties to a conflict to distinguish between civilians and combatants, and between civilian objects and military objectives. Deliberate attacks on civilians or civilian objects are considered war crimes and are prohibited by various treaties and conventions, such as the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.
The right to life is a fundamental human right protected by various international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This right establishes that every individual has the inherent right to life and that it should be protected by the state. The right to life imposes a positive obligation on states to take all necessary measures to safeguard individuals from arbitrary deprivation of life.
In the context of armed conflicts, the right to life and the prohibition of deliberate attacks intersect. Parties to a conflict are obliged to respect and protect the right to life of individuals within their control, including civilians and persons hors de combat (those no longer participating in hostilities, such as prisoners of war or wounded combatants). This means that deliberate attacks on civilians or civilian objects that result in loss of life would likely violate both the prohibition on deliberate attacks and the right to life.
However, it’s important to note that under international humanitarian law, there may be instances where the use of force against individuals or objects is permissible. For example, combatants who directly participate in hostilities can be lawfully targeted, and military objects can be lawfully attacked. The principle of proportionality requires that any attack must not cause excessive harm to civilians or civilian objects in relation to the anticipated military advantage. Additionally, parties to a conflict are obligated to take precautions to minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects.
Overall, the prohibition of deliberate attacks and the right to life are essential principles aimed at protecting civilians and upholding humanitarian values in armed conflicts. They are part of the broader framework of international law that seeks to mitigate the effects of armed conflicts on civilian populations and ensure respect for human dignity and human rights.
Tags: basic human rights, child rights, children's rights, civil rights, disability rights, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, human dignity, human rights abuses, human rights advocacy, human rights definition, human rights education, human rights issues, human rights law, human rights violation, human rights violations, indigenous peoples' rights, indigenous rights, international human rights, international human rights law, minority rights, Prohibition of Deliberate Attacks and the Right to Life, refugee rights, reproductive rights, right, right to education, right to privacy, right to work, universal human rights, women's rights