Generolo Jono Žemaičio Lietuvos karo akademija

This paper is devoted to the assumptions of the protection of combatants, prisoners of war, civilians and refugees during armed conflicts. It describes the legal regulations for the protection of combatants and prisoners of war, the norms of international law relating to the protection of civilians, and prohibited means and methods of military operations. The content of this chapter was intended to outline the legal status of persons protected in armed conflicts. The phenomenon of war is very often connected with the problem of human rights violations. Increasingly, during armed conflicts, the civilian population is disadvantaged alongside the armed forces of the fighting parties. Bearing in mind the above, international organisations have taken a number of initiatives to protect human life and health. However, a reflection arises that the legal standards in the field of international humanitarian law of armed conflicts and human rights are not properly respected during wars and armed conflicts.

The article presents an in-depth identification of the polemological aspects of research on the subject of wars and armed conflicts of the 21st century. Moreover, it discusses the evolution, scale and nature of contemporary, as well as future wars and armed conflicts. The article refers to the essence, properties and characteristics of ‘new wars’ and the possibility of studying them by using appropriate instruments. Based on the conducted research, an attempt is made at forecasting wars and armed conflicts of the future. The article also highlights the activities and functioning of contemporary research institutes and facilities engaged in the analysis of war and armed conflicts, and focuses on the legitimacy and needs of implementing the polemological approach to the research of the presented subject in the present global-informational security conditions.