Non-combatant

For the corps of the British Army that was active from 1916 to 1920 and again from 1940 to 1963, see Non-Combatant Corps.
A Swedish Army medic wearing a Red Cross treats an Afghan civilian in 2006, during the War in Afghanistan. They would be considered non-combatants in the war.

Non-combatant is a term of art in the law of war and international humanitarian law to refer to civilians who are not taking a direct part in hostilities;[1] persons, such as combat medics and military chaplains, who are members of the belligerent armed forces but are protected because of their specific duties (as currently described in Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, adopted in June 1977); combatants who are placed hors de combat; and neutral persons, such as peacekeepers, who are not involved in fighting for one of the belligerents involved in a war. This particular status was first recognized under the Geneva Conventions with the First Geneva Convention of 1864.

Under international humanitarian law, certain non-combatants are classified as protected persons, who are to be protected under laws applicable to international armed conflict at all times.[2]

  1. ^ Article 51.3 of Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions states, "Civilians shall enjoy the protection afforded by this section, unless and for such time as they take a direct part in hostilities".
  2. ^ "The Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law: Protected persons". Médecins Sans Frontières.