Which principle emphasizes the ethical treatment of combatants and non-combatants?

The principle of humanity focuses on the ethical treatment of all individuals during armed conflict, ensuring that both combatants and non-combatants are treated with dignity and respect. This principle is central to international humanitarian law and mandates that parties in a conflict must avoid inflicting unnecessary suffering and must protect those not participating in hostilities, such as civilians and the wounded. It sets a moral baseline for the conduct of warfare, emphasizing that even in war, there are limits to the means and methods of combat that can be employed.

While concepts like military necessity, distinction, and proportionality play critical roles in the framework of warfare and the conduct of military operations, they do not specifically encapsulate the overall ethical approach to humane treatment as directly as the principle of humanity does. Military necessity relates to the justification of actions that are necessary for achieving a legitimate military objective; distinction requires the differentiation between combatants and non-combatants; and proportionality addresses the balance between military advantage gained and the potential harm to civilians. However, it is the principle of humanity that strongly underlines the necessity of humane treatment during all phases of conflict.