The principle of DISTINCTION in IHL (Article 48 AP I 1977) requires pa…

Question

The principle of DISTINCTION in IHL (Article 48 AP I 1977) requires parties to:

Accepted Answer

D. at all times DISTINGUISH between civilian population and combatants, and between civilian objects and military objectives, directing operations only against military objectives

1. AP I 1977 Article 48 (Basic rule): 'In order to ensure respect for and protection of the civilian population and civilian objects, the Parties to the conflict shall at all times distinguish between the civilian population and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives and accordingly shall direct their operations only against military objectives.'
2. This is a foundational principle of IHL — protecting non-combatants.
3. Violation is a war crime (Rome Statute Article 8(2)(b)(i)-(ii)).
4. Hence option B is correct.
_Source: International HR Treaties + Indian Constitutional Jurisprudence — Additional Protocol I 1977, Article 48 (Basic rule)_

Answer

target combatants and civilians equally (cf. Additional Protocol I 1977, Article 48 (Basic rule)) (cf. Additional Protocol I 1977, Article 48 (Basic rule))

Answer

target only economic infrastructure (cf. Additional Protocol I 1977, Article 48 (Basic rule)) (cf. Additional Protocol I 1977, Article 48 (Basic rule))

Answer

not engage in any combat (cf. Additional Protocol I 1977, Article 48 (Basic rule)) (cf. Additional Protocol I 1977, Article 48 (Basic rule))