Universal Humanitarian Convention for Galactic Peace

The Kingdom of Alinor and the Galactic Empire of Puu'Tih, recognizing the importance of protecting the rights and well-being of all beings involved in armed conflicts, and mindful of the devastating consequences of war for all involved,

Affirming that the principles of humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and humanity, are essential to the protection of all those who are not or no longer participating in hostilities,

Convinced that the rules and customs of war should be developed and enforced in order to limit the effects of armed conflict and to promote the restoration of peace,

Determined to establish a universal humanitarian convention for galactic peace that will serve as the cornerstone of international humanitarian law,

Recognizing that war has caused untold suffering and destruction throughout the galaxy, including the loss of countless lives, displacement of populations, and long-term social, economic, and environmental impacts,

Noting that the atrocities committed during armed conflicts have often targeted vulnerable groups, including women, children, and minorities, and that these groups have been disproportionately affected by the consequences of war,

Condemning all acts of violence and brutality committed during armed conflicts, including acts of terrorism, torture, and genocide, and affirming that such acts are contrary to the principles of humanitarian law and the values of the galactic community,

Acknowledging that the prevention of armed conflict is the best way to protect civilians and other vulnerable populations, and that the development of effective conflict resolution mechanisms is essential to promoting long-term peace and stability,

Recognizing the vital role of humanitarian organizations in providing assistance and protection to those affected by armed conflicts, and affirming the importance of ensuring their safety and access to affected populations,

Have agreed as follows:

1. Civilians and neutral factions shall not be targeted or otherwise subjected to direct or indiscriminate attacks, and all feasible precautions shall be taken to avoid and minimize harm to them;
2. The use of weapons and tactics that are likely to cause unnecessary suffering or harm to civilians and neutral factions shall be prohibited, and combatants shall take all necessary measures to ensure that their actions do not cause such harm;
3. Civilians and neutral factions shall be allowed to move and seek refuge from armed conflict, and shall be provided with safe passage and access to humanitarian assistance;
4. Any destruction of civilian or neutral property shall be avoided to the extent possible, and if such destruction cannot be avoided, it shall be limited to military objectives and proportional to the military advantage sought;
5. All parties to armed conflict shall respect and protect medical personnel, facilities, and transports, and shall facilitate their activities to the fullest extent possible;
6. The taking of hostages and the use of human shields shall be prohibited, and all parties shall take all necessary measures to prevent and punish such acts;
7. Civilians and neutral factions shall be protected from sexual violence, forced displacement, and all forms of exploitation and abuse, and any such acts shall be prosecuted as war crimes;
8. All parties shall respect and abide by the rules and principles of this convention, and shall ensure that their personnel are trained in and understand the requirements of international humanitarian law.

This agreement shall apply to all armed conflicts, whether international or non-international, and to all parties to such conflicts, including states, armed groups, and individuals. The parties shall take all necessary measures to ensure compliance with this convention, including through effective measures of investigation, prosecution, and punishment for violations.

## Chapter I: Definition of Armed Conflict

### Article 1. Definition

1. For the purposes of this convention, the term "armed conflict" shall be understood to mean any conflict between two or more parties, whether of an international or non-international character, which involves the use of armed force and meets the following criteria:

a) The parties to the conflict must be governmental armed forces or other organized armed groups, which are under a responsible command and exercise such control over a part of the territory as to enable them to carry out sustained and concerted military operations;

b) The hostilities must reach a minimum level of intensity, which can be manifested by the number, duration, and intensity of the acts of violence and the nature of the weapons employed;

c) The conflict must take place on the territory of a state, even if only partially, or may occur within the territory of one or more states by the intervention of outside forces.

1. The existence of an armed conflict does not depend on a formal declaration of war or on recognition of the existence of the conflict by one or more of the parties involved. It shall also not be affected by the motives underlying the conflict or the objectives pursued by the parties.
2. The parties to the conflict may include states, armed groups, or other organized entities, as well as individuals who participate directly in hostilities.

### Article 2. Types of Armed Conflict

1. Armed conflicts may be categorized according to their nature and scope, including:

a) International armed conflicts, which are conflicts between two or more states;

b) Non-international armed conflicts, which are conflicts between the government of a state and one or more armed groups, or between such groups themselves, within the territory of a state;

c) Mixed armed conflicts, which are conflicts that contain both international and non-international elements.

1. The distinction between international and non-international armed conflicts shall be made based on the criteria set out in Article 1, paragraph 1, and shall determine the extent of the application of this convention and other relevant international humanitarian law.

### Article 3. Duration of Armed Conflict

1. The existence of an armed conflict shall be determined based on its factual situation and shall continue until its peaceful settlement, as determined by the parties involved, or until a formal conclusion of peace.
2. The end of hostilities does not necessarily mean the end of the armed conflict, which may continue to have legal, political, social, and humanitarian consequences that require continued attention and action.
3. The parties to the conflict shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the principles and rules of this convention continue to be respected and implemented even after the end of hostilities.

### Article 4. Application of International Humanitarian Law

1. This convention shall apply to all armed conflicts, whether international or non-international, and to all parties to such conflicts, including states, armed groups, and individuals.
2. The principles and rules of international humanitarian law shall apply without any adverse distinction based on the nature or origin of the conflict, the motives of the parties, or the ethnic, national, religious, or other identity of the persons involved.
3. The parties to the conflict shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the principles and rules of international humanitarian law are respected and implemented in all circumstances, and shall ensure that their personnel are trained in and understand the requirements of this convention.
4. Nothing in this convention shall be interpreted as restricting the right of parties to an armed conflict to adopt additional measures for the protection of civilians and other persons affected by the conflict, provided that such measures are not inconsistent with the principles and rules of international humanitarian law.
5. This chapter provides the definition of armed conflict, including the criteria for its existence, the types of armed conflict, and the duration of armed conflict. It also clarifies that the principles and rules of international humanitarian law apply to all armed conflicts, without any adverse distinction based on the nature or origin of the conflict or the identity of the persons involved.

## Chapter II: General Provisions

### Section 1: Scope of Application

Article 2: The Obligation to Respect the Convention The parties to the Universal Humanitarian Convention for Galactic Peace must respect and ensure respect for the convention in all circumstances. The provisions of the convention shall not be waived or derogated from, except in cases explicitly allowed by international law.

Article 3: Scope of Application The principles and rules of international humanitarian law, as embodied in this convention, apply to all situations of armed conflict, whether international or non-international in character. The convention applies to all parties to armed conflicts, including armed forces and other organized armed groups, regardless of their legal status.

Article 4: Relationship with Other International Legal Instruments The provisions of the Universal Humanitarian Convention for Galactic Peace do not affect the application of other relevant international legal instruments that provide greater protection for civilians and other persons affected by armed conflict.

### Section 2: Fundamental Principles

Article 5: Fundamental Principles The following fundamental principles govern the interpretation and implementation of the Universal Humanitarian Convention for Galactic Peace:

(a) The principle of humanity: the obligation to alleviate suffering, protect human dignity, and respect the rights of all persons affected by armed conflict.

(b) The principle of impartiality: the obligation to treat all persons without adverse distinction, based on their race, gender, nationality, religion, or any other criteria.

(c) The principle of distinction: the obligation to distinguish between combatants and civilians, and between military objectives and civilian objects.

(d) The principle of proportionality: the obligation to ensure that the military advantage gained from an attack is not excessive in relation to the harm caused to civilians and civilian objects.

(e) The principle of precaution: the obligation to take all feasible precautions to avoid and minimize incidental harm to civilians and civilian objects.

### Section 3: Implementation and Enforcement

Article 6: Implementation of the Convention The parties to the Universal Humanitarian Convention for Galactic Peace must take all necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation of the convention, including the dissemination of its provisions to their armed forces and other relevant authorities.

Article 7: Compliance with the Convention The parties to the convention must ensure compliance with its provisions, and take effective measures to prevent and punish violations of international humanitarian law.

Article 8: Role of the International Committee of the Red Cross The International Committee of the Red Cross, as the guardian of international humanitarian law, shall have the right to offer its services to the parties to an armed conflict, and to promote the implementation and respect of the Universal Humanitarian Convention for Galactic Peace.

Article 9: Settlement of Disputes Any dispute between parties to the Universal Humanitarian Convention for Galactic Peace relating to the interpretation or application of the convention shall be settled by peaceful means, in accordance with international law.

## Chapter III: Wounded and Sick

### Section 1: General Protection

Article 1: Respect for and Protection of the Wounded and Sick The parties to the conflict shall respect and protect the wounded and sick and shall ensure that they are treated humanely, without any adverse distinction.

Article 2: Duty to Provide Medical Care The parties to the conflict shall provide all wounded and sick persons with medical care and treatment required by their condition, to the fullest extent practicable and with the least possible delay.

Article 3: Non-Discrimination The wounded and sick shall not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, birth, or other status.

Article 4: Identification The parties to the conflict shall take all feasible measures to identify and register wounded and sick persons. The identity and medical status of such persons shall be protected.

Article 5: Search and Collection The parties to the conflict shall search for and collect the wounded and sick, and shall provide all necessary assistance to that end. They shall further ensure that the dead are collected and identified.

### Section 2: Medical Transport and Facilities

Article 6: Respect for Medical Units and Transports Medical units and transports shall be respected and protected at all times and shall not be used for any military purpose.

Article 7: Protection of Medical Transports Medical transports shall not be attacked or seized, but shall be respected and protected at all times. They shall bear, as a distinctive emblem, the distinctive emblem of the red cross or red crescent.

Article 8: Protection of Medical Facilities Medical facilities, including hospitals and other buildings used for medical purposes, shall be respected and protected at all times. They shall bear, as a distinctive emblem, the distinctive emblem of the red cross or red crescent.

### Section 3: Treatment

Article 9: Access to Wounded and Sick Persons The parties to the conflict shall grant and facilitate rapid and unimpeded access to the wounded and sick by the ICRC, the national Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies, and other impartial humanitarian organizations.

Article 10: Treatment and Care The wounded and sick shall be cared for in all circumstances by the parties to the conflict, without any adverse distinction and in accordance with medical ethics.

Article 11: Medical Personnel Medical personnel shall be respected and protected. They shall be allowed to carry out their medical duties without fear of punishment.

Article 12: Medical Supplies Medical supplies shall not be willfully destroyed or removed by the parties to the conflict.

### Section 4: Protection of the Dead

Article 13: Respect for the Dead The parties to the conflict shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the dead are respected and their bodies are treated with dignity.

Article 14: Search, Collection, and Identification of the Dead The parties to the conflict shall search for and collect the dead, and shall ensure that their bodies are identified and disposed of in a respectful manner.

Article 15: Medical Personnel and Facilities for the Dead Medical personnel and facilities for the dead shall be respected and protected at all times.

## Chapter III: Buildings and Materials

### Section 1: Protection of Buildings

Article 1: General Protection The parties to the conflict shall ensure that buildings dedicated to religious, cultural, historical or charitable purposes, as well as dwellings, are respected and protected. They shall refrain from any act of hostility directed against such buildings.

Article 2: Identification The parties to the conflict shall take all feasible measures to identify and mark such buildings with distinctive emblems, flags or other signs that indicate their special protection status.

Article 3: Protection from Attacks The parties to the conflict shall not use such buildings as military objectives. They shall refrain from any act of hostility directed against such buildings.

### Section 2: Protection of Cultural Property

Article 4: Definition Cultural property shall be understood to mean property which represents the cultural heritage of humanity and includes, regardless of origin or ownership, monuments of architecture, art or history, archaeological sites, religious buildings, and works of art.

Article 5: Protection from Destruction The parties to the conflict shall refrain from any act of hostility directed against cultural property, unless such property is used for military purposes.

Article 6: Respect for Cultural Property The parties to the conflict shall respect cultural property and shall refrain from any form of theft, pillage or misappropriation.

Article 7: Protection of Archaeological Sites The parties to the conflict shall take all necessary measures to protect and preserve archaeological sites, including those not yet excavated.

### Section 3: Protection of Natural Resources

Article 8: Definition Natural resources shall be understood to mean any material, substance or energy occurring naturally in the earth's crust, water, or atmosphere.

Article 9: Protection from Destruction The parties to the conflict shall refrain from any act of hostility directed against natural resources, unless such resources are used for military purposes.

Article 10: Respect for Natural Resources The parties to the conflict shall respect natural resources and shall refrain from any form of theft, pillage or misappropriation.

Article 11: Protection of the Environment The parties to the conflict shall take all necessary measures to protect the environment from the harmful effects of military activities.

### Section 4: Protection of Materials

Article 12: Definition Materials shall be understood to mean any objects, goods or commodities which are not cultural property or natural resources.

Article 13: Protection from Destruction The parties to the conflict shall refrain from any act of hostility directed against materials, unless such materials are used for military purposes.

Article 14: Respect for Materials The parties to the conflict shall respect materials and shall refrain from any form of theft, pillage or misappropriation.