Combatants and noncombatants (International law)

In the law of war, a non-combatant is a person who is not or is no longer actively participating in hostilities during a war. This includes civilians, prisoners of war, and wounded, sick or injured former combatants (hors de combat). The term also includes persons such as combat medics and military chaplains (who are members of the belligerent armed forces, but are protected because of their specific duties) and neutral persons (such as peacekeepers, who are not involved in fighting for one of the belligerents involved in a war). This particular status was first recognized under the First Geneva Convention of 1864. At the heart of the law of war is a series of prohibitions of violence against and mistreatment of non-combatants. Under international humanitarian law (IHL), certain non-combatants are classified as protected persons, who are to be protected under laws applicable to international armed conflict at all times. One of the key principles of the law of war (i.e. IHL) is that: “Non-combatants are to be spared from various forms of harm; this category includes not only civilians but also former combatants, such as prisoners-of-war and fighters rendered hors de combat because they are wounded, sick, shipwrecked or have surrendered.“ Another key IHL principle is that the distinction between combatants and non-combatants must be respected.