ABSTRACT
The protection of civilians is a self-evident imperative in humanitarian provision to mitigate the effects of armed conflict. Such provision is found, with severe limitations, even in the medieval jus armorum 1997 Additional Protocol I makes provisions for the special protection of non-defended localities and demilitarised zones. The former are any inhabited areas so declared by a party to an armed conflict near to or actually within a combat zone which is open for occupation by an adverse party without opposition. General protective provision is made for the wounded, sick, infirm and aged, and for expectant mothers. They must be respected and protected, and in so far as military considerations permit, all parties to a conflict must do their utmost to search for them and for the dead, to assist them and others in grave danger, and generally to protect them from pillage and ill-treatment.
