Civilians – Fourth Geneva Convention (IVGC)

Civilians have the protection as long as they do not take a direct part in the fighting. Direct participation should, for example, be understood to be acts that are, by their nature and purpose, intended to cause actual harm to personnel and equipment of the armed forces. This also extends to the preparation or returning from an attack. However, the notion "direct participation" has not been clearly defined. If civilians take direct part in the hostilities, they loose their protection and can be tried according to national law for murder or other crimes.

Free passage of all shipments of medical supply and equipment, as well as objects necessary for religious worship intended for civilians, shall be guaranteed according to the Fourth Geneva Convention. It also permits the free passage of foodstuffs, clothing and liquids intended for children under fifteen, expectant mothers and pregnant women.

These Fourth Geneva Convention not only cover persons, but civilian property, cultural and religious buildings as well.

Human Shields

According to the principle of distinction, civilians are protected and should not take part in the hostilities. The military cannot use civilians to protect military installations. Article 28 in the Fourth Geneva Convention states: “the presence of a protected person may not be used to render certain areas immune from military operations”. This means that civilians cannot, with their presence, protect military installations, for example from military attack. They can not be used as human shields (article 28 IVGC). The use of civilians to protect the military is an illegal method of warfare misusing their vulnerability and protected status by forcing them to take part in the hostilities. The involvement of civilians puts them under jeopardy and in fact strips them of their protection.
To ICRC and Article 28