AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

ARMED CONFLICT
Where wars erupt, suffering and hardship invariably follow. Conflict is the breeding ground for mass
violations of human rights including unlawful killings, torture, forced displacement and starvation.
In conflicts across the globe, governments and armed groups routinely attack civilians and commit war
crimes and terrible abuses of human rights.
And yet, even in war there are rules that all sides are legally bound to obey. International humanitarian law
(IHL), also known as the laws of armed conflict or the laws of war, has developed in order to mitigate the
effects of such conflict. It limits the means and methods of conducting military operations. Its rules oblige
combatants to spare civilians and those who no longer participate in hostilities, such as soldiers who have
been wounded or have surrendered. IHL applies only during armed conflict; human rights law applies in war
and peace.

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Human Rights Terrorism and Counter Terrorism

D. Accountability and the human rights of victims.

From a human rights perspective, support for victims in the context of terrorism is a
paramount concern. While efforts immediately following the events of 11 September
2001 largely failed to give due consideration to the human rights of victims, there is
increasing recognition of the need for the international community to take fully into
account the human rights of all victims of terrorism. In the 2005 World Summit Outcome
(General Assembly resolution 60/1), for example, Member States stressed the
importance of assisting victims of terrorism and of providing them and their families with
support to cope with their loss and their grief. Similarly, the United Nations Global
Counter-Terrorism Strategy reflects the pledge by Member States to promote
international solidarity in support of victims and foster the involvement of civil society in
a global campaign against terrorism and for its condemnation.
A. What are human rights?
1. The nature of human rights Human rights are universal values and legal
guarantees that protect individuals and groups against actions and omissions
primarily by State agents that interfere with fundamental freedoms, entitlements
and human dignity. The full spectrum of human rights involves respect for, and
protection and fulfilment of, civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights,
as well as the right to development. Human rights are universalin other words,

they belong inherently to all human beingsand are interdependent and

indivisible.1
Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in
Time of War (2nd part)
Adopted on 12 August 1949 by the Diplomatic Conference for the Establishment of
International Conventions for the Protection of Victims of War,
held in Geneva from 21 April to 12 August 1949
Entry into force: 21 October 1950

Article 3
In the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the
High Contracting Parties, each Party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the
following provisions:
1.

Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who
have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds,
detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any
adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any
other similar criteria.

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Total number killed in attacks in New York: 2,753

Number of firefighters and paramedics killed: 343
Number of NYPD officers: 23
Number of Port Authority police officers: 37