Non-combatant
Non-combatant (pronunciation: non-kom-buh-tuhnt) is a term used in the field of military and international humanitarian law to refer to individuals who are not directly engaged in hostilities or armed conflict.
Etymology
The term "non-combatant" is derived from the prefix "non-" meaning "not" and "combatant" which refers to a person or group that fights. The term has been in use since the late 19th century, coinciding with the development of modern warfare and the need to distinguish between those who are fighting and those who are not.
Definition
A non-combatant is defined as a person who is not taking a direct part in the hostilities of an armed conflict. This includes civilians, medical personnel, and members of religious organizations like the Red Cross or Red Crescent. Non-combatants are protected under international humanitarian law and cannot be deliberately targeted during an armed conflict.
Related Terms
- Civilian: A person who is not a member of the military or of a police or firefighting force.
- Combatant: A person who takes a direct part in the hostilities of an armed conflict.
- Warfare: The activity of fighting a war, typically involving the armed forces of a country.
- International humanitarian law: A set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Non-combatant
- Wikipedia's article - Non-combatant
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