Ideas The one exception that makes killing civilians legal in war
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May 7, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Nicola Perugini, an international relations expert from the University of Edinburgh, dives into the complex world of warfare and civilian protection. He reveals a controversial legal loophole that permits the killing of civilians used as human shields. The conversation delves into the ethical dilemmas of this practice and its evolution throughout history. Personal accounts from conflict zones like Gaza and Northern Ireland shed light on the harrowing realities for civilians caught in the line of fire, challenging listeners to reconsider the norms of warfare.
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Legal Exception for Human Shields
- International humanitarian law protects civilians from being killed in war with one key exception: involuntary human shields can be targeted.
- This legal loophole complicates warfare ethics and accountability, especially when civilian areas are involved.
Civil War Human Shields Example
- During the American Civil War, Union prisoners were placed in bombarded areas in Charleston as human shields.
- This tactic sparked a legal and ethical debate between generals over the use of prisoners to protect military targets.
Codification of Civilian Protection
- The Geneva Conventions after WWII expanded protection to all civilians, codifying them as passive victims needing protection.
- Civilians lose this protection if they actively participate in hostilities, creating a legal tension in modern conflicts.