The protection of civilians in armed conflicts is a treaty obligation under i...

The protection of civilians in armed conflicts is a treaty obligation under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, which States have the responsibility to respect and observe. But few treaty-based obligations are as abused and overlooked as the obligation to protect civilians in armed conflicts. That is a real tragedy, and it highlights how much we have failed as an international community. There can be no higher obligation than protecting civilians — women, the young and the old — during times of armed conflict.