Where is R2P grounded in international law? Anne-Marie Judson A ...

prohibited. This may include an attack that may be expected to cause incidental loss
of civilian life, injury or damage to civilian objects or a combination of these that
could be considered excessive. 280 An attack against a civilian population or civilians
by way of reprisals is prohibited. Shielding is prohibited including movement of the
civilian population, in particular attempts to shield military objectives from attacks or
to shield, favour or impede military objectives. It is prohibited to move a population,
individual, parts or all in order to attempt to shield military objectives from attacks. 281
Military objects are those that by their very nature by location and purpose make an
effective contribution to military action and offer a definite military advantage. 282
OBJECTS FOR SURVIVAL OF THE CIVILIAN POPULATION ARE
PROTECTED
Objects that are considered as indispensible to civilian survival are prohibited from
being attacked or destroyed. This includes attacking, destroying, and rendering
inoperative or useless, food crops, agricultural areas, livestock, drinking water,
installations, supplies and irrigation works. Deliberate starvation of civilians as a
method of warfare is also prohibited. Vital requirements required by military
necessary as a defence against an invasion is the only derogation that is permitted
under these provisions. 283 Cultural objects are also protected by this convention,
including the prohibition of acts of hostility towards historic monuments, works of art
or places of worship that constitute a cultural or spiritual heritage. 284
The natural environment is protected against widespread long-term and severe
damage that could prejudice the health or the survival of the population. 285 Any
objects that contain dangerous goods are prohibited from military targeting and
attack. This includes dams, dykes, and nuclear energy generating stations or anything
else that may release dangerous forces and create severe loss among the civilian
population. 286 If an attack on these objects is necessary and the only way to terminate
280 Article 51 5 (b) page 20
281 Article 51 (8) page 20
282 Article 52 (2) page 20
283 Article 54 (1) to (4) page 20
284 Article 53, page 20
285 Article 55 page 21
286 Article 56 page 21
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