---
title: "Distinction in International Humanitarian Law"
description: "Distinction is a key principle of international humanitarian law, ensuring combatants and civilians are always differentiated during armed conflict."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/distinction"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Distinction is the cardinal principle of international humanitarian law requiring parties to an armed conflict to differentiate at all times between combatants and civilians, and between military objectives and civili…
- Which treaty provision codifies the principle of distinction?
- How does distinction differ from proportionality?
- Why does distinction matter in UPSC GS Paper IV?
- Are violations of distinction punishable?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In Prosecutor v. Galić (2003), the ICTY convicted General Stanislav Galić for the sniping and shelling campaign against Sarajevo's civilians, holding that deliberately targeting the civilian population violated the principle of distinction.

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