Abstract
The basic principle of international humanitarian law (IHL) lies in the prohibition of
conducts considered to be cruel, unnecessary and dishonorable in armed conflicts.
Contemporary efforts to bring international humanitarian law rules into force by minimizing
civilian casualties in armed conflicts have raised serious questions particularly as it relates
to the fundamental principles of IHL, which includes distinction, proportionality and
precaution. In an effort to strike this balance, developments of new technology and the
prevalence of asymmetric conflicts within and outside the borders of States have created
uncertainty regarding the precise interpretation in the application of these principles. This
paper examined the effective application of these fundamental principles of international
humanitarian law in the management of contemporary armed conflicts and assessed the role
these principles play in moderating the effects of war on civilians and civilian objects. The
paper argued that the fundamental objective of these principles can only be achieved by
limiting parties’ choice of weapons and prioritizing the protection of civilians and civilian
objects. The paper concluded that without the effective application of these principles, there
would be no international mechanism to mitigate the devastating effects of conflict,
potentially leading to widespread atrocities and immense human suffering.