Basic principles for the protection of civilian populations in armed conflicts

XXV. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE THIRD COMMITTEE
2675. Basic principles for the protection of civilian populations in armed conflicts

The General Assembly, Noting that in the present century the international community has accepted an increased role and new responsibilities for the alleviation of human suffering in any form and in particular during armed conflicts, Recalling that to this end a series of international instruments has been adopted, including the four Geneva Conventions of 1949,[1] Recalling further its resolution 2444 (XXIII) of 19 December 1968 on respect for human rights in armed conflicts, Bearing in mind the need for measures to ensure the better protection of human rights in armed conflicts of all types, Noting with appreciation the work that is being undertaken in this respect by the International Committee of the Red Cross, Noting with appreciation the reports of the Secretary-General on respect for human rights in armed conflicts,[2] Convinced that civilian populations are in special need of increased protection in time of armed conflicts, Recognizing the importance of the strict application of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,[3] Affirms the following basic principles for the protection of civilian populations in armed conflicts, without prejudice to their future elaboration within the framework of progressive development of the international law of armed conflict:

1. Fundamental human rights, as accepted in international law and laid down in international instruments, continue to apply fully in situations of armed conflict.

2. In the conduct of military operations during armed conflicts, a distinction must be made at all times between persons actively taking part in the hostilities and civilian populations.

3. In the conduct of military operations, every effort should be made to spare civilian populations from the ravages of war, and all necessary precautions should be taken to avoid injury, loss or damage to civilian populations.

4. Civilian populations as such should not be the object of military operations.

5. Dwellings and other installations that are used only by civilian populations should not be the object of military operations.

6. Places or areas designated for the sole protection of civilians, such as hospital zones or similar refuges, should not be the object of military operations.

7. Civilian populations, or individual members thereof, should not be the object of reprisals, forcible transfers or other assaults on their integrity.

8. The provision of international relief to civilian populations is in conformity with the humanitarian principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments in the field of human rights. The Declaration of Principles for International Humanitarian Relief to the Civilian Population in Disaster Situations, as laid down in resolution XXVI adopted by the twenty-first International Conference of the Red Cross,[4] shall apply in situations of armed conflict, and all parties to a conflict should make every effort to facilitate this application.

1922nd plenary meeting,
9 December 1970.

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[1] United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75 (1950), Nos. 970-973. [2] A/7720 and A/8052. [3] United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75 (1950), No. 973. [4] International Review of the Red Cross, No. 104 (November 1969), p. 632.