I don't have time at present to dig out the links to the Geneva and Hague Conventions. For those who do, the relevant sections with regard to behavior of US and NATO troops would seem to be:
- The definition of “protected persons.” That is, those individuals the conventions are intended to cover.
- The process for determining whether an individual fits in a category of “protected person.” That was the purpose of the tribunals. Unfortunately, as a by product of the level of literacy, language comprehension, or the medias’ political narrative, many people read or heard “tribunal” as “trial.”
- Treatment of individuals who are determined by the tribunal not to be protected under the Conventions. On this score, I believe they are silent.
The phrase "unlawful combatant" does not appear anywhere in any of the conventions.
Hope this adds some clarity.
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