Introduction

The book examines the central reasons behind the divergent interpretations of the principle of the law of armed conflict prohibiting superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering. It explores the codification process of the law of armed conflict, historical landmarks pertaining to the deployment of specific weapons, and case law.

Shift in Interpretation

The author contends that, whereas military necessity was previously the balancing principle for interpreting the norm prohibiting unnecessary suffering, this balancing factor has shifted to place a greater emphasis on health effects. In addition to examining whether the principle may be interpreted in medical terms, the book includes medical data to support such an argument.

Controversies and Long-term Effects

While controversy remains regarding particular weapons and their correlation with the unnecessary suffering principle, long-term health effects of individual weapons, most notably nuclear weapons, are being recognized through jurisprudence as a particular cause of superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering. Such recognition is due to their unceasing, continuous detrimental effect on human health and quality of life even after the end of an armed conflict.

Legal and Medical Perspectives

The author argues that weapons causing unending long-term harmful effects on the human body are in fact violating the principle prohibiting superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering by violating the temporal application of the law of armed conflict. As a result, the principle is increasingly interpreted by judicial bodies in medical terms, as opposed to military necessity alone.

Conclusion

The book aims to clarify the changing nature of this basic principle of weapons law, improve its clarity and overall comprehension of the concept as particularly unnecessary suffering and superfluous injury is often brought up during disarmament conferences and weapons treaty negotiations at international bodies.