United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Practice Relating to Rule 12. Definition of Indiscriminate Attacks
The UK LOAC Pamphlet (1981) defines indiscriminate attacks as “attacks which are not directed at a military objective and which are likely to strike at military objectives and civilian objects without distinction”.
The UK LOAC Manual (2004) states:
Indiscriminate attacks are:
(a) “those which are not directed at a specific military objective”;
…
“and consequently, in each such case, are of a nature to strike military objectives and civilians or civilian objects without distinction.”
In 1991, in a report submitted to the UN Security Council on operations in the Gulf War, the United Kingdom criticized Iraq for launching indiscriminate missile attacks against civilians.
The UK LOAC Manual (2004) states:
Indiscriminate attacks are:
…
(b) “those which employ a method or means of combat which cannot be directed at a specific military objective”;
…
“and consequently, in each such case, are of a nature to strike military objectives and civilians or civilian objects without distinction.”
At the CDDH, the United Kingdom stated:
The definition of indiscriminate attacks given in [Article 51(4) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I] was not intended to mean that there were means of combat the use of which would constitute an indiscriminate attack in all circumstances. The paragraph did not in itself prohibit the use of any specific weapon, but it took account of the fact that the lawful use of means of combat depended on the circumstances.
The UK LOAC Manual (2004) states:
Indiscriminate attacks are:
…
(c) “those which employ a method or means of combat the effects of which cannot be limited as required” by Additional Protocol I;
“and consequently, in each such case, are of a nature to strike military objectives and civilians or civilian objects without distinction.”
At the CDDH, the United Kingdom stated:
The definition of indiscriminate attacks given in [Article 51(4) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I] was not intended to mean that there were means of combat the use of which would constitute an indiscriminate attack in all circumstances. The paragraph did not in itself prohibit the use of any specific weapon, but it took account of the fact that the lawful use of means of combat depended on the circumstances.