Conclusion

Summary

To conclude, the protection of civilians has become a well-established concept consisting of international law, policies, and practices. The legal framework, notably the content and form of international humanitarian law (IHL), human rights law, disarmament law, and refugee law, offers protection to civilians, particularly in situations of armed conflict. At the level of jus ad bellum and the primary role of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, the last two decades have witnessed a higher priority being accorded to the protection of civilians. That violations of IHL and especially attacks against civilians or indiscriminate attacks constitute a threat to international peace and security, as that term is understood in Chapter VII of the UN Charter, is a major normative shift.