Which two of the following acts are prohibited acts of perfidy? (Good Faith and Perfidy, pg 2 of 11)
Using the enemy’s weapons during combat
Displaying a white flag of truce while attacking the enemy
Fighting in the enemy’s uniform
Using the enemy uniforms to evade capture
The correct answer and explanation is :
The two acts prohibited as acts of perfidy in the given options are:
- Displaying a white flag of truce while attacking the enemy
- Fighting in the enemy’s uniform
Explanation:
Perfidy is the act of betraying the trust or confidence of an adversary, typically by using deception during combat, and is prohibited under the laws of armed conflict, particularly under the Geneva Conventions. It violates the principles of distinction, which requires belligerents to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants, and the principle of neutrality during peaceful acts, such as truce declarations.
1. Displaying a white flag of truce while attacking the enemy:
The white flag is universally recognized as a symbol of truce or surrender. Its use is intended to signal a desire for ceasefire or negotiation. If an individual or group uses this symbol while simultaneously attacking the enemy, it constitutes perfidy. This act undermines the trust that is essential for peaceful negotiations and endangers the lives of those involved. The enemy may be deceived into lowering their guard, which allows the attacking force to strike without the expected consequences of mutual respect for the truce. This action is prohibited because it dishonors the intended function of the white flag and violates international law.
2. Fighting in the enemy’s uniform:
Wearing the enemy’s uniform during combat is another act of perfidy. It is a method of deception where a combatant impersonates a lawful enemy combatant in order to gain an advantage, such as misleading the opposing forces and creating confusion. This act breaches the Geneva Conventions, as it is intended to deceive the enemy into thinking that the person wearing the uniform is a legitimate combatant, which could lead to the enemy making decisions based on false assumptions. This deception endangers the safety of those on both sides, as it creates a situation where the line between combatants and non-combatants is blurred.
Both of these actions are prohibited because they involve using trust and symbols of peace or combatants’ identification as tools of deceit, fundamentally violating the ethical conduct of warfare.