The laws of war, also known as international humanitarian law, are a set of rules and principles that govern the conduct of armed conflicts. These laws are intended to protect the civilian population and combatants who are no longer able to take part in the hostilities, such as prisoners of war and the wounded. They also seek to minimize the suffering caused by war and to ensure that the consequences of war are not unduly severe. The laws of war are an integral part of public international law, which is the body of law that governs the relations between states and other international actors.

The laws of war can be found in a variety of sources, including treaties, customary international law, and general principles of law. The most important treaty governing the laws of war is the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which contains four separate protocols that set out the rights and duties of states and other actors during armed conflicts. The Geneva Conventions are considered to be the foundation of international humanitarian law, and they are widely ratified by states around the world. In addition to the Geneva Conventions, there are also other important treaties that govern the laws of war, such as the 1977 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

One of the key principles of the laws of war is the distinction between combatants and civilians. Combatants are individuals who take a direct part in hostilities, such as soldiers and members of armed groups. Civilians are individuals who do not take a direct part in hostilities, and they are entitled to special protection under the laws of war. This principle is intended to ensure that civilians are not unnecessarily harmed during armed conflicts, and it is reflected in various provisions of the Geneva Conventions and other treaties.

Another important principle of the laws of war is the prohibition of attacks that cause unnecessary suffering. This principle is intended to ensure that the methods and means of warfare used in armed conflicts are limited so as to minimize the harm caused to combatants and civilians. This principle is reflected in various provisions of the Geneva Conventions and other treaties, such as the prohibition on the use of weapons that cause excessive injury or unnecessary suffering.

The laws of war also include provisions related to the treatment of prisoners of war and the wounded. These provisions are intended to ensure that prisoners of war and the wounded are treated humanely and are not subjected to cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment. These provisions are reflected in various provisions of the Geneva Conventions, such as the prohibition on torture and the requirement that prisoners of war and the wounded be protected from violence and intimidation.

Another important aspect of the laws of war is the prohibition of war crimes, which are serious violations of the laws of war that are committed with intent. Examples of war crimes include the murder of prisoners of war, the use of chemical weapons, and the targeting of civilians. War crimes are considered to be among the most serious offenses under international law, and they can be punished by imprisonment or death.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction over war crimes committed by individuals. The ICC is an international court that was established to bring to justice individuals who commit the most serious crimes under international law. It is an independent institution and it is not part of the United Nations system. The ICC can only exercise its jurisdiction if a state is unable or unwilling to do so.

In addition to the ICC, there are also other mechanisms in place to ensure compliance with the laws of war. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that is dedicated to promoting and protecting the laws of war. The ICRC works to ensure that the laws of war are respected and that humanitarian assistance is provided to those affected by armed conflicts.

There are also national mechanisms that can be used to ensure compliance with the laws of war. National courts can be used to prosecute individuals for war crimes, and national military justice systems can be used to discipline members of the armed forces for violations of the laws of war.

It is important to note that the laws of war are not always followed during armed conflicts. In some cases, states or non-state actors may intentionally violate the laws of war in order to gain a military advantage. In other cases, violations may occur due to the fog of war or other operational factors. However, the existence of the laws of war and the mechanisms in place to enforce them serve as a deterrent against such violations and as a means to hold violators accountable.

There have been several landmark judgements around the world related to the laws of war in public international law. Some examples include:

1. The Nuremberg Trials (1945-1946): Following World War II, several high-ranking Nazi leaders were put on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity. This was the first time that individuals had been held accountable for such crimes under international law, and the trials established important principles of international criminal law, including the principle that individuals can be held responsible for violating the laws of war.
2. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) (1993-2017): This tribunal was established by the United Nations Security Council to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide that were committed during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. The tribunal issued several landmark judgements, including the conviction of Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic for genocide and crimes against humanity.
3. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) (1994-2015): This tribunal was established by the United Nations Security Council to prosecute individuals for genocide and crimes against humanity that were committed during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The tribunal issued several landmark judgements, including the conviction of Rwandan Hutu leader Jean-Paul Akayesu for genocide and crimes against humanity.
4. The International Criminal Court (ICC) (2002-present): The ICC is a permanent international court established to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. The court has issued several landmark judgements, including the conviction of Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga for war crimes and the conviction of Malian jihadist Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi for war crimes.
5. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) (1945-present): The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and it settles disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by UN organs and specialized agencies. In the case of Nicaragua v. United States (1986), the ICJ held that the U.S had violated international law by supporting anti-government forces in Nicaragua, and it had used unlawful means of warfare including mining of harbors.

These are some examples of landmark judgements around the world that have dealt with the laws of war in public international law. These cases illustrate the important role of international tribunals and courts in enforcing the laws of war and holding individuals accountable for violations. They also demonstrate the evolution of the international criminal law and the development of the principles of international humanitarian law.

In conclusion, the laws of war are an integral part of public international law and play a crucial role in protecting civilians and combatants who are no longer able to take part in hostilities. They also seek to minimize the suffering caused by war and to ensure that the consequences of war are not unduly severe. They can be found in a variety of sources such as treaties, customary international law, and general principles of law. The most important treaty governing the laws of war is the 1949 Geneva Conventions. There are various mechanisms in place to ensure compliance with the laws of war, including the International Criminal Court and the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as national mechanisms. Although the laws of war are not always followed during armed conflicts, their existence serves as a deterrent against violations and a means to hold violators accountable.