Human shield
Non-combatants used to shield military targets from attack.
A human shield is a non-combatant (or a group of non-combatants) who either volunteers or is forced to shield a target in order to deter the enemy from attacking it. The 20th and 21st centuries had numerous operations that used involuntary human shields. Use of voluntary human shields have also had use, particularly with Mahatma Gandhi using the concept as a tool of resistance.
- field
- International humanitarian law, military tactics
- known_for
- Use as a method to deter attacks on military targets
Lore & Background
The use of human shields can be traced to the Ancient era; for example they were used by Ancient Greeks. In World War II, Japanese forces used civilians as human shields during the Battle of Okinawa and the Battle of Manila, and the Imperial Japanese Navy berthed its flagship Izumo in front of the Shanghai International Settlement, leading to civilian deaths when Chinese bombers missed their target.
Reader's Guide
The concept of human shields raises significant legal and moral questions under international humanitarian law. Forcing protected persons to serve as human shields is explicitly prohibited as a war crime, yet the practice has persisted across many conflicts. The term also extends to situations where combatants place themselves among civilians, making it difficult for an enemy to attack without endangering non-combatants. Legal scholars disagree on whether attackers may discount collateral harm from such shielding when determining proportionality. Some authors argue that accusations of 'proximate shielding' have been used by states to justify civilian deaths, while human rights organizations often fail to question such charges. The use of human shields remains a contested and legally complex issue in modern warfare.
Did You Know?
- Mahatma Gandhi used voluntary human shields as a tool of resistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a human shield?
A human shield refers to one or more non-combatants positioned in front of a target so that an opposing force will hesitate to strike. The individuals may be coerced into the role or may choose it deliberately as a form of protest.
How do human shields function as a military tactic?
The tactic works by exploiting an attacker's reluctance to cause civilian casualties, thereby creating a deterrent effect around the protected target. It has appeared in numerous military operations throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Can human shields be used voluntarily?
Yes, individuals have chosen to place themselves as shields as a tool of nonviolent resistance, with Mahatma Gandhi being a notable historical example. In voluntary cases, the participants accept the risk themselves rather than being coerced.
Why is the human shield concept significant in international law?
It sits at the intersection of military strategy and humanitarian protection, forcing legal frameworks to balance operational necessity against the rights of civilians. The explicit prohibition of involuntary use across multiple treaties underscores how seriously the international community treats this issue.
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