Declaration of Paris (1856)

The Declaration of Paris (1856) was an international agreement aimed at regulating naval warfare, particularly the treatment of enemy ships and cargo. It established rules to distinguish between civilian and military ships, prohibiting the use of certain destructive tactics and safeguarding neutral and civilian property. The declaration encouraged respect for merchant ships, protected them from unnecessary damage, and aimed to reduce suffering during conflicts at sea. Its principles influenced later international laws on warfare, seeking to make naval conflicts more humane and predictable by setting clear standards for conduct during wartime.