The Guam Basic Principles of The Law of War is a comprehensive set of guidelines and principles that govern the conduct of armed forces during armed conflicts. These principles are derived from various sources of international law, including treaties, customary international law, and military manuals. The Guam Basic Principles of The Law of War emphasize the importance of upholding and protecting fundamental human rights and principles, even in the midst of armed conflict. They provide guidance to military personnel, commanders, and governments on their responsibilities and obligations to prevent and mitigate the suffering caused by armed conflict. Some key elements and keywords associated with the Guam Basic Principles of The Law of War include: 1. Distinction: The principle of distinction requires parties to a conflict to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants. This means that attacks should only be directed towards military objectives, while civilians and civilian objects should be protected from direct attacks. 2. Proportionality: The principle of proportionality requires that the military advantage gained from an attack must be proportionate to the expected harm to civilians or civilian objects. This principle is intended to prevent excessive or disproportionate use of force. 3. Humanity: The principle of humanity emphasizes the importance of treating all individuals with respect and dignity. It prohibits acts of torture, cruel treatment, and other forms of inhumane treatment. 4. Military necessity: The principle of military necessity permits the use of force and other military actions that are necessary to achieve a legitimate military objective. It also requires that such actions be proportionate and discriminate. 5. Precautions: The principle of precautions requires parties to a conflict to take all feasible precautions to avoid or minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects. This includes giving warnings before launching an attack and taking measures to avoid or minimize collateral damage. 6. Non-combatant immunity: This principle states that civilians and non-combatants should be protected from direct participation in hostilities and should not be targeted or attacked. They are entitled to the same protection as prisoners of war. It is important to note that the Guam Basic Principles of The Law of War may not be an official or universally recognized set of principles. The term "Guam" in this context might be specific to a particular military jurisdiction or institution. Different regions or organizations might have their own set of basic principles based on the same or similar international legal frameworks, but with different names or variations.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.