It's an attempt to limit the death of civilians, and the use of weapons and tactics the lead to or are designed and used in direct attacks on civilians, as opposed to military. It's long been held that direct attacks on non combatant civilians populations is not an acceptable way to conduct a military campaign.
Sure, some people engage in that conduct, they're typically not folks whose values align with the rest of the world.
In 1474, the first trial for a war crime was that of Peter von Hagenbach, realised by an ad hoc tribunal of the Holy Roman Empire, for his command responsibility for the actions of his soldiers, because "he, as a knight, was deemed to have a duty to prevent" criminal behaviour by a military force. Despite having argued that he had obeyed superior orders, von Hagenbach was convicted, condemned to death, and beheaded.[
Sure, some people engage in that conduct, they're typically not folks whose values align with the rest of the world.
In 1474, the first trial for a war crime was that of Peter von Hagenbach, realised by an ad hoc tribunal of the Holy Roman Empire, for his command responsibility for the actions of his soldiers, because "he, as a knight, was deemed to have a duty to prevent" criminal behaviour by a military force. Despite having argued that he had obeyed superior orders, von Hagenbach was convicted, condemned to death, and beheaded.[
