human shield
Captive protective cover
A human shield is a person placed in or near a military target to deter attack—the logic being that enemies will hesitate to strike if civilians might die.
The term extends to any situation where someone uses another person's presence as protection: He kept his hostage close as a human shield.
International law prohibits the practice in warfare.
Captive held as security
- captiveOne held by force
- noncombatantPerson not engaged in warfare
- bystanderOne who observes nearby
- innocentFree from moral wrong
detainee · prisoner · victim · casualty · collateral damage · civilian casualty · unarmed · population
Planned action for advantage
- stratagemDeceptive plan for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- deterrencePrevention via threatened consequences
countermeasure · deployment · interposition · cowardice · asymmetric warfare · guerrilla · insurgent · militant
Illegal act in combat
- violationBreaking of rules
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- atrocityUnforgivable mass cruelty
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
inhumanity · international law · Geneva Convention · outrage · indignation · criticism · debate · controversy
Obstruction preventing passage
- bufferProtective intermediate space
- coverProtect by overlaying
- screenDisplay or barrier
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
defense · deterrent · obstruction · blockade · impediment
hostage
Captive held as security
- captiveOne held by force
- noncombatantPerson not engaged in warfare
- bystanderOne who observes nearby
innocent · detainee · prisoner · victim · casualty · collateral damage · civilian casualty · unarmed · population · residents
tactic
Planned action for advantage
- stratagemDeceptive plan for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
deterrence · countermeasure · deployment · interposition · cowardice · asymmetric warfare · guerrilla · insurgent · militant · combatant
war crime
Illegal act in combat
- violationBreaking of rules
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- atrocityUnforgivable mass cruelty
condemnation · inhumanity · international law · Geneva Convention · outrage · indignation · criticism · debate · controversy · immorality
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
safeguard · defense · deterrent · obstruction · blockade · impediment
- self-sacrificeselflessness, self-denial, renunciation, forfeit, organ donation
- shieldsbuckler, scutum, aegis
- war captivesPOW, prisoner of war, captured soldier, enemy combatant, internee
- atrocitiesHolocaust, genocide, massacre, massacres, ethnic cleansing
human shieldarmor
Protective combat covering
body armor · ballistic shield · bulletproof vest · fortification · bunker
human shieldcivilian evacuation
Relocating noncombatants from hazard zones
humanitarian corridor · rules of engagement · safe zone · demilitarized zone · protected zone
human shieldvolunteer soldier
One who enlists willingly
bodyguard · self-sacrifice · martyr · defender · guardian
human, shield, humans, humanly, humane, humanely, inhumane, humanity, humanities