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International Humanitarian Law - Treaties & Documents
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Instructions for the Government of Armies of the United States in the Field (Lieber Code). 24 April 1863.
Section I : Martial law -- Military jurisdiction -- Military necessity -- Retaliation
Art. 16. Military necessity does not admit of cruelty -- that is, the infliction of suffering for the sake of suffering or for revenge, nor of maiming or wounding except in fight, nor of torture to extort confessions. It does not admit of the use of poison in any way, nor of the wanton devastation of a district. It admits of deception, but disclaims acts of perfidy; and, in general, military necessity does not include any act of hostility which makes the return to peace unnecessarily difficult.
 
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