Which principle of LOAC restricts the use of weapons with the intent to cause excessive suffering?

The principle of humanity within the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) emphasizes that all parties in conflict must conduct hostilities in a manner that minimizes unnecessary suffering and protect those who are not part of the conflict, such as civilians and non-combatants. This principle specifically restricts the use of weapons that could cause excessive or disproportionate suffering to both combatants and non-combatants, ensuring that the means and methods of warfare remain humane.

Approaching warfare from the perspective of humanity requires combatants to consider the effects of their weapons and tactics on both the enemy and the civilian population. This principle underlines the importance of maintaining a moral and ethical approach to warfare, even within the context of military objectives. It forms a crucial part of the legal framework that governs armed conflict, ensuring that military operations are conducted in a humane manner.

The other principles, while also important in their own contexts, do not focus specifically on the restriction of weapons causing excessive suffering. Military necessity generally permits the use of force required to achieve a legitimate military objective, proportionality concerns balancing military advantage against civilian harm, and distinction emphasizes differentiating between combatants and non-combatants in conflict. Each of these principles serves distinct purposes in the regulation of armed conflict but does not