FIGHTER NOT KILLER
FIGHTER
NOT KILLER
Geneva Call's media campaign on the rules of war
In times of war, not everything is allowed. War has rules too.
During conflict, fighters must comply with the "rules of war" as enshrined in international humanitarian law and the 1949 Geneva Conventions in particular. These rules set out the limits that the parties to conflict must abide by to limit the impact of war on civilian populations.
For example, parties to conflict must refrain from attacking civilian populations and objects such as schools or houses. They must also respect all hospital facilities and medical personnel, desist from displacing populations by force, refrain from torturing detainees.
The Videos
The App
Fighter not Killer quiz
Test your knowledge
of the Rules of War
- 28 in-situation scenarios
- 6 topics
- 2 levels of difficulty
War has limits and not everything is allowed
Can you target a hospital if the enemy is shooting from it? Can you accept youngsters as combatants if you are not sure they are over 18 years old? Can you pretend to surrender as a ruse? Are police forces legitimate targets?
You will find all the answers in this quiz. You will be taken through 28 scenarios covering topics such as tactics of warfare, basic rights, healthcare and aid, weapons or child protection. When you have completed all 6 topics you may move on to the Commander Level with more complex scenarios.
Geneva Call's
15 KEY RULES
of behaviour for fighters
in internal armed conflict
-
1
Do not attack civilians, civilian property or civilian public buildings.
-
4
Do not use prohibited weapons and do not engage in unlawful methods of war.
-
7
Do not take hostages or use human shields.
-
10
Respect women. Do not commit or permit rape or sexual abuse against anyone.
-
13
Allow impartial humanitarian relief for civilians in need.
-
2
Do not launch any attack if civilian collateral damage is expected to be greater than the military advantage.
-
5
Collect and care for the wounded and dead, whether friend or enemy.
-
8
Do not displace civilians, unless necessary for their own safety or for imperative military reasons.
-
11
Protect children. Do not recruit them into your armed forces and do not use them in hostilities.
-
14
Put these rules into practice. Respect them even if the enemy does not. Abstain from reprisals which are in violation of the law of armed conflict.
-
3
Take the necessary precautions to protect civilians before and during attacks.
-
6
Respect the rights of prisoners and all other people under your control and treat them humanely. Do not commit summary executions.
-
9
Respect civilian property. Do not loot or steal.
-
12
Respect medical personnel,hospitals and ambulances. Do not misuse protective symbols such as the Red Cross or Red Crescent.
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15
Prevent violations of these rules. If violations occur, report to your commander. Violations must be investigated and sanctioned in accordance with international standards
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Who We Are
Geneva Call is a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the protection of children in armed conflict and in particular from their use in hostilities. Rather than assisting civilians after they have become victims to conflict, Geneva Call focuses on preventing and intervening before civilians suffer the severe consequences of armed violence.
The majority of today's armed conflicts are not between States. Rather, they involve States fighting against one or more armed groups. Therefore, preventive measures must also focus on these groups.
Geneva Call engages in dialogue with armed groups, it encourages them to comply with these rules by signing humanitarian agreements, it helps them to implement their commitments and it actively and continually monitors these commitments.
Geneva Call focuses on four main thematic areas :
- The protection of children in armed conflict and in particular from their recruitment and use in hostilities
- The elimination of sexual violence and rape in armed conflict
- The ban on anti-personnel mine
- The respect of international humanitarian law by armed non-State actors