The Law of War principle of proportionality

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journal article

Proportionality and Force in International Law

The American Journal of International Law

Vol. 87, No. 3 (Jul., 1993)

, pp. 391-413 (23 pages)

Published By: Cambridge University Press

https://doi.org/10.2307/2203645

https://www.jstor.org/stable/2203645

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Journal Information

AJIL is a leading peer-reviewed journal, published quarterly since 1907. It features articles, editorials, notes, comments, and book reviews by pre-eminent scholars and practitioners from around the world addressing developments in public and private international law. The Journal also contains analyses of decisions by national and international courts and tribunals as well as a section on contemporary U.S. practice in international law. AJIL is indispensable for all professionals working in international law, economics, trade, and foreign affairs.

Publisher Information

Cambridge University Press (www.cambridge.org) is the publishing division of the University of Cambridge, one of the world’s leading research institutions and winner of 81 Nobel Prizes. Cambridge University Press is committed by its charter to disseminate knowledge as widely as possible across the globe. It publishes over 2,500 books a year for distribution in more than 200 countries. Cambridge Journals publishes over 250 peer-reviewed academic journals across a wide range of subject areas, in print and online. Many of these journals are the leading academic publications in their fields and together they form one of the most valuable and comprehensive bodies of research available today. For more information, visit http://journals.cambridge.org.

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What are the principles of the Law of War?

Principles of the laws of war Military necessity, along with distinction, proportionality, humanity (sometimes called unnecessary suffering), and honor (sometimes called chivalry) are the five most commonly cited principles of international humanitarian law governing the legal use of force in an armed conflict.

What is the principle of proportionality in international humanitarian law?

One of the key principles of international humanitarian law. A central notion under international humanitarian law is the principle of proportionality: even if an attack is allowed, it must not be excessive in relation to the expected military advantage.

What does proportionality mean?

The term proportionality describes any relationship that is always in the same ratio. The number of apples in a crop, for example, is proportional to the number of trees in the orchard, the ratio of proportionality being the average number of apples per tree.

What are the 3 rules of war?

The rules of war, also known as international humanitarian law: Protect those who are not fighting, such as civilians, medical personnel or aid workers. Protect those who are no longer able to fight, like an injured soldier or a prisoner. Prohibit targeting civilians.