The Videos

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Campaign videos

Each video focuses on a single rule from the "rules of war" enshrined in international humanitarian law and the 1949 Geneva Conventions, showing what it means in practice and why it matters for civilians.

War is governed by rules. Even in conflict, international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions set clear limits on how fighters may behave toward civilians, wounded soldiers, prisoners, and protected objects such as hospitals and schools. These rules are not abstract legal theory; they are practical commitments that armed forces agree to respect, and their purpose is to protect people who are not taking part in hostilities. The Fighter Not Killer campaign, created by Geneva Call, works to make these limits visible and widely understood so that political leaders, military commanders, and the public can hold parties to them.

Each video in this collection focuses on a single rule from the rules of war, showing what that rule means in practice and why it matters for civilians. Rather than presenting dense legal texts, the videos translate provisions into everyday scenarios that viewers can recognise, making clear how actions that seem ordinary in a war zone can become serious violations. By focusing on one rule at a time, the campaign builds familiarity gradually, encouraging viewers to consider what is allowed, what is prohibited, and what happens when commitments are broken.

The themes covered reflect the breadth of humanitarian law. Episodes address the protection of civilians and civilian populations, the duty to distinguish combatants from non-combatants, the prohibition of attacks on medical personnel and facilities, and the treatment of wounded and dead persons. Others examine conduct that is unlawful in any circumstance, including executions, rape, sexual violence, looting, and the use of human shields, as well as the obligation of commanders and parties to control their forces and refrain from prohibited methods of warfare such as indiscriminate bombardment.

Understanding these rules is a starting point, not an ending. The campaign invites audiences to explore scenarios, take part in a quiz, and consider how commanders, forces, and institutions can comply with the limits of war and how violations can be prevented before they occur. It also highlights the role of universities, volunteers, and humanitarian organisations in spreading knowledge, and reminds viewers that respect for the rules of war is a shared responsibility. When everyone knows what is permitted, what is forbidden, and what protection civilians deserve, the pressure for compliance grows.