0
Direct participation in Hostilities is a legal term used in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) (aka the Laws of War), a special branch of public international law which governs the behavior of belligerents in war. This is just another way of saying that it is the rules by which armed opponents on a battlefield are to fight with one another.
In IHL, there are two broad distinctions of persons: combatants (e.g. soldiers) and civilians.
Soldiers may be targeted at any time during a conflict, whether or not they are participating in the fighting at that specific time. They have an inherent "privilege" to take part in hostilities, and if they are captured then they have the right to be treated as Prisoners of War -- basically 'privileged' prisoners.
Civilians, on the other hand, are not encouraged to participate in hostilities at all. Although it is not illegal for the do so per se, if they do participate in hostilities, they may be targeted for such time as they are engaging in these hostile acts. In other words, for such time as they "directly participate in hostilities".
Scholars, practitioners and governments are at odds over the exact scope of the term. As an example, suppose John Smith is a farmer by day, but every night at 8pm he goes to pick up his rifle and participates in battles, before coming back home to his family to catch some shut-eye before the next day's farming.
Can John be targeted whilst he is enroute to the battlefield, rifle in hand? Can he be targeted during the day, while he is farming? Can he be targeted on the battlefield if he has just shot someone with his rifle and then threw it away?
These are all questions which the legal term of "direct participation in hostilities" brings up.
Still curious? Ask our experts.
Chat with our AI personalities
Taiga
Ross
FranAdd your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the most direct method of participation?
volunteering for a political campaign engaging in civil disobedience
The framers of the constitution gave voters the most direct participation in the selection of which group?
House of Representatives
What is the most direct method of political participation?
joining a political party
Why is civic and political participation is important?
Civic and political participation is important so that decisions are not made by a few people. Participation by the masses insures greater freedom.
Do you say participation to or in?
in
What was the most direct cause for beginning of Americas involve the in Cuba just prior to the outbreak of hostilities?
The most direct cause for the beginning of America's involvement in Cuba just prior to the outbreak of hostilities the U.S.S Maine being blown up.
What was the most direct cause for the beginning of Americas involvement in Cuba just prior to the outbreak of hostilities?
The most direct cause for the beginning of America's involvement in Cuba just prior to the outbreak of hostilities the U.S.S Maine being blown up.
What was the most direct cause for the beginning of America's involvement in Cuba just prior to the outbreak of hostilities?
The most direct cause for the beginning of America's involvement in Cuba just prior to the outbreak of hostilities the U.S.S Maine being blown up.
What was the form of government in ancient Athens?
A direct democracy with enforced participation
What is the most direct method of participation?
volunteering for a political campaign engaging in civil disobedience
The framers of the constitution gave voters the most direct participation in the selection of which group?
House of Representatives
What are the limitations on participation in R34 Direct Foreign Investment (DFI) projects?
Limitations on participation in R34 Direct Foreign Investment (DFI) projects may include government regulations, restrictions on ownership percentages, requirements for local partnerships, and limitations on certain industries or sectors.
When People have the highest participation rate in this type of government.?
People have the highest participation rate in a direct democracy, where citizens directly vote on policies and decisions rather than electing representatives to do so on their behalf.
What are the methods of participation in participative management?
There are various groups of managerial decisions that have a direct impact on the employmees of an organisaiton. These decisions are the social, personnel and the economic decisions. However, there are other methods that are affeted by the participation of workers. The methods are as follow: 1. participation at the board level 2. participation through ownership 3. participation through complete control 4.participation through staff or work councils 5. participation through joint council and committes 6. participation through collective bargaining 7. participation through job enlargement and job enrichment 8. participation through suggestion scheme 9. participation through quality circles 10. empowered teams 11. total quality management 12. financial participation
What was the direct cause of the outbreak of the American Civil War?
The direct cause of the US Civil War was the South's decision to attack the Federal Fort Sumter in the Charleston harbor. Yes the "whys" of the Civil War included a number of important issues, however the direct start of hostilities was Fort Sumter.
It is customary for a First Lady to avoid participation in a re-election campaign of her husband for President?
It is not customary for a First Lady to avoid participation in her husband's re-election. However, the participation is at times peripheral rather than central. Instead of direct assistance, she provides a more indirect assistance by addressing different arenas of the public.
When did hostilities commence?
1754
