Fiction:Declaration of the Conduct of War

The Declaration of the Conduct of War is a treaty and declaration of rights first composed by Drodoian commander Cesterity Isordon to replace the then-aging The Proper Execution and Conduct of Warfare under the Drodoian Banner. The document is intended to be international law, and concerns the proper declaration of war, conduct of war, the rights of the numerous players therein, such as soldiers and noncombatants, and the use of weapons and tactics in war. Quoted sections directly from the document are in italics.

Section I: The Wounded and Sick, and Status of Medical Personell and Locations within the Theatre and Context of War
The Declaration contains strict and formidible guidelines concerning the treatment of the sick or wounded, as defined below.

The Declaration of the Conduct of War affords protection to, whoever there nationality or legal status as either combatant or non-combatant as defined within this document, those that are wounded or ill as or as not a result of the conflict and are expected to be cared for within a minimum guideline of conditions which includes;

I. A trained physician to tend to them,

''II. An acceptably clean hospital or medical area in which to stay in,''

''III. A serious and concerted effort to mend there wounds, and''

''IV. A healthy diet in order to stay nourished for the length of there healing.''

The document as well covers and defines what a "medical centre" is.

''A "medical centre" is defined and recognised by a readily visible red cross that can be seen from both ground level and the sky. Medical personell may also be idenified in this way and are considered non-combatents within the provisions of this treaty. Under no circumstances may any armed and active combatants use an active medical station as:''

I. A staging area,

''II. "Cover", or fortifications,''

''III. A forward base,''

''IV. A command post, or,''

V. An ammunition or supply dump.

Under no circumstances may armed and active combatants assault, damage, or harm the medical structure or its occupants.

Section II: Idenifying Combatants and Non-Combatants within the Theatre and Context of Open Warfare
This chapter deals with the definition and idenification of both combatants and non-combatants, as well as the nonlawful combatants and there covering by the treaty.

The Declaration of the Conduct of War lists the following people, groups of people, and personell as non-combatants;

All unarmed civilians, regardless of occupation Medical personell and "medics" (only if bearing red cross and are unarmed) Injured and seriously ill combatants and non-combatants Logistics personell and officers Politicians Reporters or photographers Peacekeepers Law Enforcement Officers Surrendering combatants or those otherwise wishing negotiation

The Declaration ''states that noncombatants should be kept out of the immediate combat zone as much as possible, be treated in a fair and humane manner by combatants. Under no circumstances should non-combatants be subjected to;''

Being attacked, harmed, or killed by combatants, lootings by combatants, stressful questioning or interrogation, inhumane treatment or harassment by combatants, imprisonment, confinement, or kidnapping by combatants.

The Declaration of the Conduct of War furthermore lists the following people, groups of people, and personell as lawful combatants;

Enlisted, armed soldiers and officers, Crews of armoured vehicles, Pilots of armed fighters and bombers, Partisans*, Crewmembers of a military starship, and High-ranking commanders.

*Partisans are only legal combatants so long as they carry arms openly, are commanded by an officer or an equivalent, and bear a recognisible insignia or sign, visible from a distance.

''This document outlines unlawful combatants as those that either operate outside the laws of war, are not included or do not follow the lawful rules of war as are in this document. Unlawful combatants include;''

Mercenaries Partisans or Francs-Tireurs who violate the necessary requirements to be lawful Any and all who violate the terms and rules of war and this document.

''Unlawful combatants are only subject to the most basic provisions of this document, such as adequate medical care and living space when imprisoned. They may be subject to whatever punishment there captors may inflict upon them including execution.''

Section III: Prisoners of War and the Lawful Handling thereof
This section covers the lawful handling of prisoners.

''Prisoners of War (referred to from here on as "POW") are former combatants who have either surrendered or have been otherwise captured by another lawful, belligerent faction. Prisoners of War must be cared for well and be placed under humane, livable conditions under these minimum guidelines;

I. All POWs must be fed an adequate and nutritious diet in accordance to their biochemestry,

''II. All POWs must be issued residences that are proofed against the weather, are an acceptable and reasonable size, and have some furniture including a place of rest or sleep.''

''III. All POWs must be offered methods of entertainment for the duration of there captivity. This can be sports, (non-propagandistic) media like radios or television, or board games.''

''IV. All POWs have freedom of worship.''

''V. If a POW is to be questioned, it must be done in a humane manner. They may not be physically or emotionally abused or be subject to a humiliating exercise.''

''VI. All POWs must be cared for medically.''

Section IV: Lawful and Unlawful Weapons, Ammunition, and other Implements and Uses thereof
This section explores the legality of some weapons and the legality of there usage.

Several weapons' legality, lawfulness, and rightful usage on the battlefield must be called into question on a multitude of grounds, including;

I. They cause an excessively large amount of damage over a very large area,

''II. They cause an undue amount of personal harm and pain,''

''III. Its primary use is against civilians as a terror weapon, and''

''IV. They otherwise violate the terms of this document.''

This list of weapons includes,

Triangle bayonets (II) Any type of bullet that expands or deforms easily within organic material (II) Any and all types of asphixiating and poison gas(I, II, and III) Any and all forms of biological weaponry (I, II, and III) "Gridfire" weaponry (I) Any sort of mass bombardment of a planet's surface if said planet is populated (I and III) Striking a populated world with an asteroid (I and III) Dropping an orbiting space station(s) onto its parent world; "Colony Drop" (I and III) Flamethrowers, and other related incendiary weapons (II) Any and all weapons that can partially or completely obliterate a planet (I and III) Any and all weapons that destablize a star (I and III) High-yield nuclear weaponry (I and III) Highly curved sabres (II)

Section V: War Criminals and there Prosecution
War Criminals are those, either combatant, non-combatant, or unlawful combatant, who have;

I. Explicitly violated a lawful rule or rules of war,

''II. made use of a blacklisted or banned weapon, or''

''III. have committed another miscellaneous atrocity or crime.''

''War Criminals, above all other criminals are to be prosecuted to the highest extent of international or federal law under an unbiased war tribunal. Punishments for committing a war crime under the provisions of this treaty can lead up to life imprisonment or execution.''

Signatories
Drodo Empire