🚨The Ukrainian military is violating the Geneva Conventions.
They're using civilian DHL trucks to attack Russian forces.
That is textbook "perfidy" – prohibited by Article 37 of First Protocol Additional to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. 🧵
They're using civilian DHL trucks to attack Russian forces.
That is textbook "perfidy" – prohibited by Article 37 of First Protocol Additional to the 1949 Geneva Conventions. 🧵
https://twitter.com/RWApodcast/status/1508165849382887432
This is the text of the prohibition.
Perfidy is defined as an act that:
(1) invites the adversary to believe he must provide protection under international law
and
(2) intentionally uses that false belief against the adversary.
Perfidy is defined as an act that:
(1) invites the adversary to believe he must provide protection under international law
and
(2) intentionally uses that false belief against the adversary.
There can be no doubt that Ukrainian forces are guilty of this crime by using DHL trucks to stage mortar attacks against Russian forces.
Specifically, the Geneva Conventions prohibit "the feigning of civilian, non-combatant status."
That is what Ukraine is doing.
Specifically, the Geneva Conventions prohibit "the feigning of civilian, non-combatant status."
That is what Ukraine is doing.
Perfidy is a serious crime because it has 2nd and 3rd order consequences in a war.
Once the RU military recognizes that Ukraine's army is attacking from civilian vehicles, every civilian vehicle becomes a potential target.
Ukrainians are being endangered by their own military.
Once the RU military recognizes that Ukraine's army is attacking from civilian vehicles, every civilian vehicle becomes a potential target.
Ukrainians are being endangered by their own military.
The fundamental purpose of wearing uniforms and using distinctively marked military vehicles is to create a firebreak between civilians and combatants.
When Ukraine employs civilian vehicles for combat operations, it dismantles that barrier.
When Ukraine employs civilian vehicles for combat operations, it dismantles that barrier.
This is the latest example of a trend in which Ukrainian defenders have blurred the lines between civilians and soldiers.
Using DHL trucks to attack Russians is a logical evolution of handing out rifles and molotov cocktails to the public.
Using DHL trucks to attack Russians is a logical evolution of handing out rifles and molotov cocktails to the public.
Criticizing Ukraine for perfidy isn't some technical "gotcha."
Perfidy was a longstanding crime under customary international law, even before the Geneva Conventions were adopted.
It has always been considered deplorable conduct that invites barbarism.
Perfidy was a longstanding crime under customary international law, even before the Geneva Conventions were adopted.
It has always been considered deplorable conduct that invites barbarism.
In 1907, perfidy was prohibited by Article 23(b) of the Hague Regulations, which outlaw "treacherously" killing or wounding enemy combatants.
What Ukraine is doing isn't a minor infraction. It's a fundamental violation of the laws of war.
What Ukraine is doing isn't a minor infraction. It's a fundamental violation of the laws of war.
People are claiming it's OK for Ukraine to violate the Geneva Conventions, because Russia is the aggressor.
Newsflash – in war, each side blames the other.
If that gave you a license to commit war crimes, then that's what would happen in *every war.*
Newsflash – in war, each side blames the other.
If that gave you a license to commit war crimes, then that's what would happen in *every war.*
I'm also curious about the scope of the exception that Ukraine is entitled to as a defender.
Which parts of the Geneva Conventions is it allowed to break?
Is it OK for Ukraine to, say... torture Russian POWs? Are the videos of them doing that *not* war crimes?
Which parts of the Geneva Conventions is it allowed to break?
Is it OK for Ukraine to, say... torture Russian POWs? Are the videos of them doing that *not* war crimes?
Why do I focus on Ukrainian war crimes?
Because America has the power to STOP them.
*Our* government is spending *our* money as taxpayers to support a military gone rogue.
If we condition our military aid on Ukraine following the Geneva Conventions, they'll do it.
Because America has the power to STOP them.
*Our* government is spending *our* money as taxpayers to support a military gone rogue.
If we condition our military aid on Ukraine following the Geneva Conventions, they'll do it.
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