The following points have been identified from the Geneva Conventions as constituting the seven fundamental principles of IHL.

1. Persons hors de combat (regular soldiers who, through injury, are incapable of performing their military duties) and those who do not take a direct part in hostilities are entitled to respect for their lives and their moral and physical integrity. They shall in all circumstances be protected and treated humanely, in a non-discriminatory manner.

2. It is forbidden to kill or injure an enemy who surrenders or who is hors de combat.

3. The wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for by the party to the conflict which has them in its power. Medical personnel, establishments, transports and equipment are also protected. The emblems of the red cross, red crescent and red crystal are the signs of such protection and must be respected.

4. Captured combatants and civilians under the authority of an adverse party are entitled to respect for their lives, dignity, personal rights and convictions. They shall be protected against all acts of violence and reprisals. They shall have the right to correspond with their families and to receive relief.

5. Everyone shall be entitled to benefit from fundamental judicial guarantees. No one shall be held responsible for an act s/he has not committed. No one shall be subjected to physical or mental torture, corporal punishment or cruel or degrading treatment.

6. Parties to a conflict and members of their armed forces do not have an unlimited choice of methods and means of warfare. It is prohibited to employ weapons or methods of warfare that cause unnecessary losses or excessive suffering.

7. In order to spare civilian population and property, parties to a conflict shall at all times distinguish between the civilian population and combatants. Neither the civilian population, nor civilian persons shall be the object of attack. Attacks shall be directed solely against military objectives.