MILITARY OPERATIONS Use of force (2) ● No one may renounce or be forced to renounce protection under humanitarian law ● Protected persons must at all times have resort to a protecting power (a neutral State safeguarding their interests) or to the ICRC or any other impartial humanitarian organization ● Only enemy combatants may be fought and only military objectives may be attacked ● Destruction in combat must be limited to mission requirements (proportionality) ● “Enemies” who are “out of combat” or who surrender must not be attacked. They may only be disarmed and handed over to superiors ● Prisoners of war must be treated humanely and are bound to give only information about their identity. No physical or mental torture of prisoners of war is permitted ● All persons and objects bearing the emblem of the Red Cross, the Red Crescent, the white flag of truce, or emblems designating cultural property or international mission identification must be protected ● Property is to be respected and looting is prohibited OHCHR Police Trainer’s Guide Session 9 (Armed Conflict)/5 130