Military Professionalism and Humanitarian Law

Military Professionalism and Humanitarian Law PDF Author: Yishai Beer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190881151
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
This book challenges the unacceptable gap between the positive rules of the international law governing armed hostilities and actual state practice. It discusses reducing the human suffering caused by this reality. The current law does not seem to be optimal in balancing the different interests of states' militaries and the humanitarian agenda. In response to this challenge, this book offers a new paradigm based on reality that may elevate the humanitarian threshold by replacing the currently problematic imperatives imposed upon militaries with professionally-based, therefore attainable, requirements. The aims of the suggested paradigm are to create an environment in which full abidance by the law becomes a realistic norm, thus facilitating a second, more important aim of reducing human suffering. Militaries function in a professional manner; they develop and respect their doctrine, operational principles, fighting techniques and values. Their performances are not random or incidental. The suggested paradigm calls for leveraging the constraining elements that are latent in military professionalism. Talking professional language and adopting the professional way of thinking that underlies militaries' conduct makes it possible to identify and focus upon the core interests of a military in any given lawful war - those that ought to be taken into consideration - alongside those that can be sacrificed for the sake of the humanitarian concerns, while still allowing the military mission to be achieved. Indeed, leveraging professional standards and norms would establish a reasonable modus vivendi for a military, while allowing substantial new space for the humanitarian mission of the law.

Military Professionalism and Humanitarian Law

Military Professionalism and Humanitarian Law PDF Author: Yishai Beer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0190881151
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 320

Get Book

Book Description
This book challenges the unacceptable gap between the positive rules of the international law governing armed hostilities and actual state practice. It discusses reducing the human suffering caused by this reality. The current law does not seem to be optimal in balancing the different interests of states' militaries and the humanitarian agenda. In response to this challenge, this book offers a new paradigm based on reality that may elevate the humanitarian threshold by replacing the currently problematic imperatives imposed upon militaries with professionally-based, therefore attainable, requirements. The aims of the suggested paradigm are to create an environment in which full abidance by the law becomes a realistic norm, thus facilitating a second, more important aim of reducing human suffering. Militaries function in a professional manner; they develop and respect their doctrine, operational principles, fighting techniques and values. Their performances are not random or incidental. The suggested paradigm calls for leveraging the constraining elements that are latent in military professionalism. Talking professional language and adopting the professional way of thinking that underlies militaries' conduct makes it possible to identify and focus upon the core interests of a military in any given lawful war - those that ought to be taken into consideration - alongside those that can be sacrificed for the sake of the humanitarian concerns, while still allowing the military mission to be achieved. Indeed, leveraging professional standards and norms would establish a reasonable modus vivendi for a military, while allowing substantial new space for the humanitarian mission of the law.

The Handbook of International Humanitarian Law

The Handbook of International Humanitarian Law PDF Author: Dieter Fleck
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191029882
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 812

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Book Description
This fully updated second edition the work previously known as The Handbook of Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflicts sets out an international 'manual' of humanitarian law in armed conflicts accompanied by case analysis and extensive explanatory commentary by a team of distinguished and internationally renowned experts. Topics examined include the historical development, legal basis, and scope of application of international humanitarian law; methods and means of combat; protection of the civilian population, and of the wounded, sick or shipwrecked, and of prisoners of war; the protection of cultural property; the law of neutrality; and the enforcement of international humanitarian law. This edition also incorporates new chapters covering the law of non-international armed conflicts and international peace operations. Highly topical issues including the role of the UN security council, the relevance of International Humanitarian Law in peacetime and post-conflict military operations, and enforcement through trials for war crimes in national and international courts are also discussed.

Military Ethics

Military Ethics PDF Author: George R. Lucas
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199336881
Category : Military ethics
Languages : en
Pages : 281

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Book Description
An approachable, case-driven account of global military ethics. Raises and responds to some of the most important and provocative questions about the proper role and conduct of military organizations and their members. Links sweeping, centuries-old political issues regarding war and the use of force in international relations to the day-to-day responsibilities of the individual members of the profession.

Proportionality in International Humanitarian Law

Proportionality in International Humanitarian Law PDF Author: Amichai Cohen
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0197556744
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 262

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Book Description
The principle of proportionality is one of the corner-stones of international humanitarian law. Almost all states involved in armed conflicts recognize that launching an attack which may cause incidental harm to civilians that exceeds the direct military advantage anticipated from the attack is prohibited. This prohibition is included in military manuals, taught in professional courses, and accepted as almost axiomatic. And yet, the exact meaning of the principle is vague. Almost every issue, from the most elementary question of how to compare civilian harm and military advantage, to the obligation to employ accurate but expensive weapons, is disputed. Controversy is especially rife regarding asymmetrical conflicts, in which many modern democracies are involved. How exactly should proportionality be implemented when the enemy is not an army, but a non-state-actor embedded within a civilian population? What does it mean to use precautions in attack, when almost every attack is directed at objects that are used for both military and civilian purposes? In Proportionality in International Humanitarian Law, Amichai Cohen and David Zlotogorski discuss the philosophical and political background of the principle of proportionality. Offering a fresh and comprehensive look at this key doctrine, they comprehensively discuss the different components of the proportionality "equation" - the meaning of "incidental harm" to civilians; the "military advantage" and the term "excessive". The book proposes the debates over the principle of proportionality be reframed to focus on the precautions taken before the attack along with the course States should follow in investigations of the violations of the principle.

International Humanitarian Law and Non-State Actors

International Humanitarian Law and Non-State Actors PDF Author: Ezequiel Heffes
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 9462653399
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 451

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Book Description
This book challenges the traditional approach to international law by concentrating on international hThis book challenges the traditional approach to international law by concentrating on international humanitarian law and placing the focus beyond States: it reflects on current legal, policy and practical issues that concern non-State actors in and around situations of armed conflict. With the emergence of the nation-State, international law was almost entirely focused on inter-State relations, thus excluding - for the most part - non-State entities. In the modern era, such a focus needs to be adjusted, in order to encompass the various types of functions and interactions that those entities perform throughout numerous international decision-making processes. The contributions that comprise this volume are oriented towards a broad readership audience in the academic and professional fields related to international humanitarian law, international criminal law, international human rights law and general public international law. Ezequiel Heffes, LLM, is a Thematic Legal Adviser in the Policy and Legal Unit at Geneva Call in Geneva, Switzerland, Marcos D. Kotlik, LLM, is Academic Coordinator at the Observatory of International Humanitarian Law of the University of Buenos Aires, School of Law and was a Judicial Fellow at the International Court of Justice between 2018-2019, and Manuel J. Ventura, LLM (Hons), is an Associate Legal Officer in the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, an Adjunct Fellow at the School of Law at Western Sydney University, and a Director of The Peace and Justice Initiative.

International Humanitarian Law

International Humanitarian Law PDF Author: H. McCoubrey
Publisher: Dartmouth Publishing Company
ISBN:
Category : Humanitarian law
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description


The Law of Armed Conflict

The Law of Armed Conflict PDF Author: Gary D. Solis
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 110883163X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 779

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Book Description
This book introduces students to the essential questions of the law of armed conflict and international humanitarian law.

Customary International Humanitarian Law

Customary International Humanitarian Law PDF Author: Jean-Marie Henckaerts
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 0521808995
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 610

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Book Description
Customary International Humanitarian Law, Volume I: Rules is a comprehensive analysis of the customary rules of international humanitarian law applicable in international and non-international armed conflicts. In the absence of ratifications of important treaties in this area, this is clearly a publication of major importance, carried out at the express request of the international community. In so doing, this study identifies the common core of international humanitarian law binding on all parties to all armed conflicts. Comment Don:RWI.

The Development and Principles of International Humanitarian Law

The Development and Principles of International Humanitarian Law PDF Author: MichaelN. Schmitt
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351545086
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 587

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Book Description
The essays selected for the first part of this volume offer an insight into the development, as distinguished from the history, of international humanitarian law. The focus of the majority of the works reprinted here is on an analysis of the adequacy of the law as it stood at the time of the respective publication and in the light of existing contemporary armed conflicts and military operations. Thus, the reader is afforded an in-depth look at the early roots of international humanitarian law, the continuing relevance of that body of law despite advances in weapons technology and the efforts to progressively develop it. International humanitarian law's development cannot be considered in isolation from its principles. The essays selected for the second part of the volume deal with the two fundamental principles underlying all of international humanitarian law: humanity and military necessity. The articles on the principles of humanity include reflections on the famous Martens Clause, and the analyses of military necessity take no account of 'Kriegsraison'. Moreover, they offer proof of the customary character of the principle of distinction in land, air and naval warfare.

U.S. Military Operations

U.S. Military Operations PDF Author: Geoffrey S. Corn
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199363188
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 504

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Book Description
In U.S. Military Operations: Law, Policy, and Practice, a distinguished group of military experts comprehensively analyze how the law is applied during military operations on and off the battlefield. Subject matter experts offer a unique insiders perspective on how the law is actually implemented in a wide swath of military activities, such as how the law of war applies in the context of multi-state coalition forces, and whether non-governmental organizations involved in quasi-military operations are subject to the same law. The book goes on to consider whether U.S. Constitutional 4th Amendment protections apply to the military's cyber-defense measures, how the law guides targeting decisions, and whether United Nations mandates constitute binding rules of international humanitarian law. Other areas of focus include how the United States interacts with the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding its international legal obligations, and how courts should approach civil claims based on war-related torts. This book also answers questions regarding how the law of armed conflict applies to such extra-conflict acts as intercepting pirates and providing humanitarian relief to civilians in occupied territory.