The CyberPeace Institute calls upon all actors to spare civilians, civilian objects and infrastructure which are ensuring the delivery of essential services in line with commitments, norms and international humanitarian law.
Parties to the armed conflict in Ukraine have a responsibility under international humanitarian law to respect the civilian population and other protected persons, civilian objects and infrastructure essential to survival. This means parties to the armed conflict must respect the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the first Additional Protocol of 1977.
The important legal principles of distinction (distinguish at all times between military objectives and civilian objects) and proportionality (prohibit attacks expected to cause excessive civilian harm) must be respected. These principles also have a direct bearing on cyber operations during armed conflicts in order to protect the civilian population against the effects of such operations.
The CyberPeace Institute is calling for restraint in the use of cyber, as well as in other attacks. Harm to civilians, civilian objects and infrastructure which are ensuring the delivery of essential services must be avoided.