--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Luis Moreno Ocampo, chief prosecutor of…" description: "\"“Luis Moreno Ocampo, chief prosecutor of the international criminal court, wrote in 2006: “International humanitarian law and the Rome statute permit b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/anonymous-1_civilian-deaths_luis-moreno-ocampo-chief-prosecutor-of-t_2984915.jpg" --- # Luis Moreno Ocampo, chief prosecutor of the international… ![“Luis Moreno Ocampo, chief prosecutor of the international criminal court, wrote in 2006: “International humanitarian law and the Rome statute permit belligerents to carry out proportionate attacks against military objectives, even when it is known that some civilian deaths or injuries will occur…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/anonymous-1_civilian-deaths_luis-moreno-ocampo-chief-prosecutor-of-t_2984915.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/anonymous-1_civilian-deaths_luis-moreno-ocampo-chief-prosecutor-of-t_2984915.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e41/anonymous-1_civilian-deaths_luis-moreno-ocampo-chief-prosecutor-of-t_2984915.jpg) > ““Luis Moreno Ocampo, chief prosecutor of the international criminal court, wrote in 2006: “International humanitarian law and the Rome statute permit belligerents to carry out proportionate attacks against military objectives, even when it is known that some civilian deaths or injuries will occur. A crime occurs if there is an intentional attack directed against civilians (principle of distinction) ... or an attack is launched on a military objective in the knowledge that the incidental civilian injuries would be clearly excessive in relation to the anticipated military advantage (principle of proportionality).”” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. International law allows proportionate attacks on military targets even if civilian harm is expected, but intentional attacks on civilians are crimes **In simple terms:** Proportional attacks allowed; intentional civilian attacks prohibited Key Takeaway Apply proportionality and distinction in conflict Themes law ethics war Mood serious analytical Type legal philosophical When to use this quote - military planning - humanitarian advocacy - legal analysis Key Concepts international humanitarian law proportionality Questions to Reflect On - How to ensure proportionality? - What mechanisms enforce distinction? A Different Perspective Real‑world conflicts often blur civilian‑military lines ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Humanitarian law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanitarian-law/) ## Related quotes > [ “Even assuming that Israel’s claims were plausible, humanitarian law obligates Israel to avoid civilian casualties that “would be excessive \[32\] in relation to the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/even-assuming-that-israel-s-claims-were-plausible-humanitarian-law/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Hamas is responsible and Hamas should held accountable for civilian deaths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/hamas-is-responsible-and-hamas-should-held-accountable-for-civilian/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [“The standard argument is that civilian deaths in Afghanistan were the regrettable consequence of military action that was needed to destroy Al Qaida bases…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-curtis/the-standard-argument-is-that-civilian-deaths-in-afghanistan-were-the/) Mark Curtis > [Iraq has been successfully demonized as if everybody who lives there is Saddam Hussein. 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