Who are considered non-combatants?

• A. Those that can't fight due to sickness, wounds/injuries, detention, laid down their weapon, civilians not part of combat, and civilians not part of militia/underground group
• B. Civilians actively fighting in hostilities
• C. Military personnel who have deserted
• D. Prisoners of war who resist

Answer: (A)

Non-combatants are people who are not taking part in fighting and are protected from being targeted. This includes those who cannot fight due to sickness or wounds, those who are detained, and those who have laid down their weapons. It also covers civilians who aren’t part of any armed group, such as militias or underground organizations. These individuals are considered hors de combat or out of the fight, so they should not be attacked simply because they are civilians or unable to fight.

In context, the protection hinges on status: once someone actively participates in hostilities, they lose non-combatant protection and can be treated as a combatant. Deserted military personnel remain part of the armed force, and prisoners of war who resist are still within the POW framework rather than non-combatants.