Source: https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v2_rul_rule60
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 09:18:42+00:00

Document:
Note: For practice concerning the simulation of protected status by using the United Nations emblem or uniform as an act considered perfidious, see Rule 65, Section G.
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I), Geneva, 8 June 1977, Article 38(2). Article 38 was adopted by consensus. CDDH, Official Records, Vol. VI, CDDH/SR.39, 25 May 1977, p. 103.
Article 23(2) of the draft Additional Protocol II was adopted by consensus by Committee III of the CDDH.
CDDH, Official Records, Vol. XV, CDDH/III/SR.49, 4 June 1976, p. 109, § 8.
CDDH, Official Records, Vol. XV, CDDH/236/Rev.1, 21 April–11 June 1976, p. 421.
The military and police components of a United Nations operation and their vehicles, vessels and aircraft shall bear distinctive identification. Other personnel, vehicles, vessels and aircraft involved in the United Nations operation shall be appropriately identified unless otherwise decided by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, adopted by the UN General Assembly, Res. 49/59, 9 December 1994, Article 3.
Under Article 8(2)(b)(vii) of the 1998 ICC Statute, “[m]aking improper use … of the flag or the military insignia or uniforms … of the United Nations … resulting in death or serious personal injury” is a war crime in international armed conflicts.
United Nations Flag Code, adopted by the UN Secretary-General on 11 November 1952, pursuant to UN General Assembly Res. 167 (II) of 20 October 1947, and rescinding the Flag Code issued on 19 December 1947, §§ 6 and 11.
Paragraph 6 of the 1991 Memorandum of Understanding on the Application of IHL between Croatia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia requires that hostilities be conducted in accordance with Article 38 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
Paragraph 2.5 of the 1992 Agreement on the Application of IHL between the Parties to the Conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires that hostilities be conducted in accordance with Article 38 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
The UNTAET Regulation No. 2000/15 establishes panels with exclusive jurisdiction over serious criminal offences, including war crimes. According to Section 6(1)(b)(vii), “[m]aking improper use … of the flag or the military insignia or uniforms … of the United Nations … resulting in death or serious personal injury” is a war crime in international armed conflicts.
Argentina, Leyes de Guerra, PC-08-01, Público, Edición 1989, Estado Mayor Conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas, aprobado por Resolución No. 489/89 del Ministerio de Defensa, 23 April 1990, § 1.06(2).
Australia, Law of Armed Conflict, Commanders’ Guide, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 Supplement 1 – Interim Edition, 7 March 1994, § 903.
Australia, Law of Armed Conflict, Commanders’ Guide, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 Supplement 1 – Interim Edition, 7 March 1994, § 513.
Australia, Law of Armed Conflict, Commanders’ Guide, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 Supplement 1 – Interim Edition, 7 March 1994, § 1305(l).
Australia, Manual on Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 – Interim Edition, 1994, § 704.
Australia, Manual on Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 – Interim Edition, 1994, § 1315(l).
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 7.5.
Burkina Faso’s Disciplinary Regulations (1994) provides that, under the laws and customs of war, it is prohibited “to use improperly … the distinctive insignia recognized by international conventions”.
Burundi’s Regulations on International Humanitarian Law (2007) states that “[i]t is … prohibited to utilize the distinctive flags, emblems or uniforms of … the United Nations (outside the situations of use authorized by this organization)”.
Burundi, Règlement n° 98 sur le droit international humanitaire, Ministère de la Défense Nationale et des Anciens Combattants, Projet “Moralisation” (BDI/B-05), August 2007, Part I bis, p. 94.
Cameroon’s Disciplinary Regulations (1975) provides that, under the laws and customs of war, it is prohibited “to use improperly … the distinctive insignia recognized by international conventions”.
Cameroon’s Instructor’s Manual (1992) states that “using fraudulently the emblems and uniforms … of the UN except in specified cases” is an unlawful deception.
Cameroon, Droit international humanitaire et droit de la guerre, Manuel de l’instructeur en vigueur dans les Forces Armées, Présidence de la République, Ministère de la Défense, Etat-major des Armées, Troisième Division, Edition 1992, p. 30, § 131.2 and p. 89, § 222.
Cameroon’s Instructor’s Manual (2006) lists using “emblems of the United Nations outside the use foreseen and authorized by this organization” as one of several “unlawful deceptions”.
Cameroon, Droit des conflits armés et droit international humanitaire, Manuel de l’instructeur en vigueur dans les forces de défense, Ministère de la Défense, Présidence de la République, Etat-major des Armées, 2006, p. 222, § 222.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Level, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 1999, p. 6-2, § 11(c); see also p. 8-10, § 79(d) (prohibition of warships and auxiliary vessels actively simulating the status of vessels protected by the United Nations flag).
Canada’s LOAC Manual (2001) states in its chapter on land warfare that it is prohibited to “make use of the distinctive emblem of the United Nations, except as authorized by that Organization”.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 605.1.c.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 856.5.d.
Colombia’s Instructors’ Manual (1999) states that it is a punishable offence “to use improperly insignia, flags and emblems … of organizations accepted by humanitarian law”.
Colombia, Derechos Humanos & Derecho Internacional Humanitario – Manual de Instrucción de la Guía de Conducta para el Soldado e Infante de Marina, Ministerio de Defensa Nacional, Oficina de Derechos Humanos, Fuerzas Militares de Colombia, Santafé de Bogotá, 1999, p. 31.
The Congo’s Disciplinary Regulations (1986) provides that, under the laws and customs of war, it is prohibited “to use improperly … the distinctive insignia recognized by international conventions”.
Ecuador, Aspectos Importantes del Derecho Internacional Marítimo que Deben Tener Presente los Comandantes de los Buques, Academia de Guerra Naval, 1989, § 12.4.
France’s Disciplinary Regulations (1975), as amended, states that it is prohibited “to use improperly … the distinctive signs provided for in international conventions”.
France’s LOAC Manual (2001) prohibits the use of the flags, emblems or uniforms of the UN.
France, Manuel de droit des conflits armés, Ministère de la Défense, Direction des Affaires Juridiques, Sous-Direction du droit international humanitaire et du droit européen, Bureau du droit des conflits armés, 2001, p. 47.
Germany, Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflicts – Manual, DSK VV207320067, edited by The Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, VR II 3, August 1992, English translation of ZDv 15/2, Humanitäres Völkerrecht in bewaffneten Konflikten – Handbuch, August 1992, § 473.
Israel’s Manual on the Rules of Warfare (2006) states that it is forbidden “to pretend to be members of the United Nations Organization or the Red Cross, as it is forbidden to use the uniforms, flag or symbols of these organisations”.
Italy’s IHL Manual (1991) states that it is prohibited “to use improperly … the emblem of the United Nations”.
Italy, Manuale di diritto umanitario, Introduzione e Volume I, Usi e convenzioni di Guerra, SMD-G-014, Stato Maggiore della Difesa, I Reparto, Ufficio Addestramento e Regolamenti, Rome, 1991, Vol. I, § 9(2).
The manual also states that grave breaches of international conventions and protocols, including “the improper … use of international protective signs”, constitute war crimes.
Mali’s Army Regulations (1979) provides that, under the laws and customs of war, it is prohibited “to use improperly … the distinctive insignia recognized by international conventions”.
Morocco’s Disciplinary Regulations (1974) provides that, under the laws and customs of war, it is prohibited “to use improperly … the distinctive insignia recognized by international conventions”.
The Military Manual (1993) of the Netherlands provides that it is “prohibited to misuse … the emblem of the United Nations”.
The manual further states that “the misuse of … recognized protective signs (UN for example)” is a grave breach of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
New Zealand, Interim Law of Armed Conflict Manual, DM 112, New Zealand Defence Force, Headquarters, Directorate of Legal Services, Wellington, November 1992, § 502(7); see also § 713(3) (prohibition of the use of flags or markings of the UN as part of a ruse of war in naval warfare).
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial Nº 1394-2004-DE/CCFFAA/CDIH-FFAA, Lima, 1 December 2004, § 27.e.(7).
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario y Derechos Humanos para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial No. 049-2010/DE/VPD, Lima, 21 May 2010, § 28(e)(7), p. 239.
Under the Russian Federation’s Military Manual (1990), improper use of international signals and flags is a prohibited method of warfare.
Russian Federation, Instructions on the Application of the Rules of International Humanitarian Law by the Armed Forces of the USSR, Appendix to Order of the USSR Defence Minister No. 75, 1990, § 5(c).
Russian Federation, Regulations on the Application of International Humanitarian Law by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 8 August 2001, § 137.
Senegal’s Disciplinary Regulations (1990) provides that, under the laws and customs of war, it is prohibited “to use improperly … the distinctive insignia recognized by international conventions”.
Spain’s LOAC Manual (1996) provides that it is prohibited “to use the distinctive emblem of the UN, except in cases where this Organization authorizes it”.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Publicación OR7-004, 2 Tomos, aprobado por el Estado Mayor del Ejército, Division de Operaciones, 18 March 1996, Vol. I, § 5.3.c; see also § 3.3.c.(2).
The manual further states that it is forbidden “to make improper use of the emblems of the United Nations”.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Publicación OR7-004, 2 Tomos, aprobado por el Estado Mayor del Ejército, Division de Operaciones, 18 March 1996, Vol. I, § 7.3.c.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Tomo 1, Publicación OR7–004, (Edición Segunda), Mando de Adiestramiento y Doctrina, Dirección de Doctrina, Orgánica y Materiales, 2 November 2007, § 3.3.c.(2); see also §§ 5.3.c and 7.3.c.
Sweden’s IHL Manual (1991) considers that the “prohibition of improper use of recognized emblems”, as contained in Article 38 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I, is part of customary international law.
I am familiar with the international protective signs and their meaning.
Switzerland, The Ten Basic Rules of the Law of Armed Conflict, Aide-memoire 51.007/IIIe, Swiss Army, issued based on Article 10 of the Ordinance for Organization of the Federal Department for Defence, Civil Protection and Sports dated 7 March 2003, entry into force on 1 July 2005, Rules 8 and 10.
Switzerland, The Ten Basic Rules of the Law of Armed Conflict, Aide-memoire 51.007/IIIe, Swiss Army, issued based on Article 10 of the Ordinance for Organization of the Federal Department for Defence, Civil Protection and Sports dated 7 March 2003, entry into force on 1 July 2005, Chart of Protective Signs.
Switzerland, Bases légales du comportement à l’engagement (BCE), Règlement 51.007/IVf, Swiss Army, issued based on Article 10 of the Ordinance on the Organization of the Federal Department for Defence, Civil Protection and Sports of 7 March 2003, entry into force on 1 July 2005, §§ 223–224 and 237.
Ukraine’s IHL Manual (2004) states: “The following methods of warfare shall be prohibited: … unlawful use of the distinctive emblem of the United Nations”.
United Kingdom, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Ministry of Defence, 1 July 2004, § 5.10.
The US Air Force Pamphlet (1976) provides that it is “forbidden to make improper use of … the distinctive sign of the United Nations”.
United States, Air Force Pamphlet 110-31, International Law – The Conduct of Armed Conflict and Air Operations, US Department of the Air Force, 1976, § 8-3(c).
The Pamphlet further insists that “prohibitions concerning improper use of its [the UN] distinctive signs, emblems and signals should be observed”.
United States, Air Force Pamphlet 110-31, International Law – The Conduct of Armed Conflict and Air Operations, US Department of the Air Force, 1976, § 8-6(b).
United States, The Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations, NWP 1-14M/MCWP 5-2.1/COMDTPUB P5800.7, issued by the Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Headquarters, US Marine Corps, and Department of Transportation, US Coast Guard, October 1995 (formerly NWP 9 (Rev. A)/FMFM 1-10, October 1989), § 12.4.
United States, The Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations, NWP 1-14M/MCWP 5-12.1/COMDTPUB P5800.7, issued by the Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Headquarters, US Marine Corps, and Department of Homeland Security, US Coast Guard, July 2007, § 12.4.
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s Military Manual (1988) provides that “it is forbidden to use, during combat, in order to mislead the enemy, … internationally recognized emblems”, inter alia, the UN emblem.
Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of, Propisi o Primeri Pravila Medjunarodnog Ratnog Prava u Oruzanim Snagama SFRJ, PrU-2, Savezni Sekretarijat za Narodnu Odbranu (Pravna Uprava), 1988, § 105(3).
any individual, whether military or not, who, in time of war, in an area of operations … in violation of the laws and customs of war, improperly uses the distinctive signs and emblems defined by international conventions for the respect of persons, objects and places protected by these conventions.
Algeria, Code of Military Justice, 1971, Article 299.
Under Armenia’s Penal Code (2003), “the use during military actions of … the flags of international organizations … in breach of international treaties and international law” constitutes a crime against the peace and security of mankind.
Armenia, Penal Code, 2003, Article 397.
such … emblems, identity cards, signs, signals, insignia or uniforms as are prescribed for the purpose of giving effect to [Additional Protocol I].
Australia, Geneva Conventions Act, 1957, as amended in 2002, Section 15(1)(f).
The war crimes provisions in this Act were removed in 2002 and incorporated into the Criminal Code Act 1995.
Australia, Criminal Code Act, 1995, as amended to 2007, Chapter 8, § 268.43, p. 330.
Australia’s ICC (Consequential Amendments) Act (2002) incorporates in the Criminal Code the war crimes defined in the 1998 ICC Statute, including “improper use of a flag, insignia or uniform of the United Nations” in international armed conflicts.
Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code (1999) provides that “the misuse of … the flag, sign or clothes of the United Nations, … which as a result caused death or serious injury to body of a victim”, constitutes a war crime in international and non-international armed conflicts.
Belarus’s Criminal Code (1999) provides that it is a war crime to “use intentionally, during hostilities, in violation of international treaties, … the flag or sign of an international organization”.
Belarus, Criminal Code, 1999, Article 138.
Under the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Criminal Code (1998), “whoever misuses or carries without authorization the flag or emblem of the Organization of the United Nations” commits a war crime.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federation, Criminal Code, 1998, Article 166(1).
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, Criminal Code, 2000, Article 445(1).
shall be punished by a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Criminal Code, 2003, Article 184.
Burkina Faso’s Code (1994) of Military Justice punishes the improper use, in violation of the laws and customs of war, of the distinctive insignia and emblems for the protection of persons, objects and locations as defined in international conventions, in time of war and in an area of military operations.
Burkina Faso, Code of Military Justice, 1994, Article 205.
Any person who, in the area of operations of a force or unit [and] in violation of the laws and customs of war, improperly uses the distinctive signs and emblems defined by the international conventions to ensure respect for persons, objects and places protected by these conventions, is punished with two to five years’ imprisonment.
Burundi, Military Penal Code, 1980, Article 60.
g) making improper use … of the flag or of the military insignia and uniform of … the United Nations … , resulting in death or serious personal injury.
Burundi, Law on Genocide, Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes, 2003, Article 4(B)(g).
7o. Making improper use … of the flag or of the military insignia and uniform … of the United Nations, … resulting in death or serious personal injury.
Burundi, Penal Code, 2009, Article 198(2)(7°).
Côte d’Ivoire’s Penal Code (1981), as amended in 1998, punishes “any individual who, in an area of military operations, uses, in violation of the laws and customs of war, the distinctive insignia and emblems, defined by international conventions, to ensure respect for protected persons, objects and places”.
Côte d’Ivoire, Penal Code, 1981, as amended in 1998, Article 473.
Under Croatia’s Criminal Code (1997), “whoever misuses or carries without authorization the flag or emblem of the United Nations” commits a war crime.
Croatia, Criminal Code, 1997, Article 168(1).
Croatia’s Criminal Code (1997), as amended to 2006, punishes whoever “misuses or carries without authorization the flag or emblem of the United Nations”.
Croatia, Criminal Code, 1997, as amended to 2006, Article 168(1).
The Czech Republic’s Criminal Code (1961), as amended in 1999, punishes any “person who, in time of war, misuses the flag of the United Nations Organization”.
Czech Republic, Criminal Code, 1961, as amended in 1999, Article 265(2).
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Code of Military Justice (1972), as amended in 1980, punishes “any individual, whether military or not, who, in time of war … improperly uses the distinctive signs and emblems defined by international conventions to ensure respect for the persons, objects and places protected under these conventions”.
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Code of Military Justice, 1972, as amended in 1980, Article 455.
(iii) badges, insignia or names of international organisations.
(2) The provision of subsection (1) applies correspondingly to imitations of such badges, insignia, official garments and designations.
Denmark, Penal Code, 1930, as amended to 2008, Article 132.
Use of red cross, red crescent and other emblems, etc.
(j) such other flags, emblems, designations, signs, signals, designs, wordings, … insignia or uniforms as are prescribed for the purpose of giving effect to the Conventions or Protocols.
Fiji, Geneva Conventions Promulgation, 2007, as amended in 2009, § 12(1)(j).
Finland’s Criminal Code (1889), as amended in 2008, provides that any person who “misuses … the flag of the United Nations” shall be “sentenced for a war crime to imprisonment for at least one year or for life”.
Finland, Criminal Code, 1889, as amended in 2008, Chapter 11, Section 5(1)(11).
any individual, military or not, who, in time of war, in the area of operations of a force or unit, in violation of the laws and customs of war, uses improperly the distinctive signs and emblems defined by international conventions to ensure respect for persons, objects and places protected by those conventions.
France, Code of Military Justice, 1982, Article 439.
The offence by any person, military or not, who in times of war, in the area of operations of a force or unit, in violation of the laws and customs of war, improperly uses the distinctive signs and emblems defined by the international conventions to ensure the respect of persons, objects and places protected by these conventions, is punished with five years’ imprisonment.
France, Code of Military Justice, 2006, Article L. 322-16.
France, Code of Defence, 2004, as amended in 2008, Article D4122-9.
Under Georgia’s Criminal Code (1999), any war crime provided for by the 1998 ICC Statute, which is not explicitly mentioned in the Code, such as “making improper use … of the flag or of the military insignia and uniform … of the United Nations, … resulting in death or serious personal injury” in international armed conflicts, is a crime.
Guinea’s Criminal Code (1998) punishes “anyone [who], in an area of military operations and in violation of the laws and customs of war, uses distinctive insignia and emblems defined in international conventions to ensure respect for protected persons, objects and places”.
Guinea, Criminal Code, 1998, Article 579.
Iraq’s Law of the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal (2005) identifies the following as a serious violation of the laws and customs of war applicable in international armed conflicts: “Making improper use of … the flag, or the military insignia and uniform of the enemy or of the United Nations … resulting in death or serious personal injury”.
Iraq, Law of the Supreme Iraqi Criminal Tribunal, 2005, Article 13(2)(H).
Under Ireland’s Geneva Conventions Act (1962), as amended in 1998, any “minor breach” of the 1977 Additional Protocol I, including violations of Article 38(2), is a punishable offence.
Italy’s Wartime Military Penal Code (1941) punishes anyone who “uses improperly … the international distinctive signs of protection”.
Italy, Wartime Military Penal Code, 1941, Article 180(3).
Under Lithuania’s Criminal Code (1961), as amended in 1998, “unlawful use of … the emblem of the United Nations, … in time of war, or during an international armed conflict” is a war crime.
any individual … who, in time of war, in the area of operations of a military force and in violation of the laws and customs of war, improperly uses the distinctive signs and emblems defined in international conventions to ensure respect for persons, objects and places protected by these conventions.
Mali, Code of Military Justice, 1995, Article 145.
Under Mali’s Penal Code (2001), “using … the flag or military insignia or uniform … of the United Nations Organization … and, thereby, causing loss of human lives or serious injuries” is a war crime in international armed conflicts.
Under the International Crimes Act (2003) of the Netherlands, “making improper use … of the flag or of the military insignia and uniform … of the United Nations, … resulting in death or serious personal injury”, is a crime, when committed in an international armed conflict.
without authority publicly or for an unlawful purpose … any designation recognized or commonly used in Norway or abroad of an international organization or any insignia or seal used by an international organization if Norway is a member of the said organization or has by international agreement undertaken to give protection against such use.
Norway, Penal Code, 1902, § 328(4)(b).
Norway, Penal Code, 1902, as amended in 2008, § 105(c).
Any member of the military or police who in the context of an international or non-international armed conflict kills or seriously injures a person by making improper use of … the flag, military insignia, uniform or flag of … the United Nations shall be imprisoned for a period of no less than ten and no more than 20 years.
If the person intentionally causes the death of another person, the penalty shall be no less than 20 and more than 30 years’ imprisonment.
Peru, Code of Military and Police Justice, 2006, Article 100.
Poland’s Penal Code (1997) punishes “any person who, during hostilities, uses … flags … of an international organization … in violation of international law”.
Poland, Penal Code, 1997, Article 126(2).
The Republic of Korea’s ICC Act (2007) provides for the punishment of anyone who commits the war crime of “[making] improper use … of the flag or military insignia or uniform … of the United Nations, resulting in a person’s death or serious personal injury” in both international and non-international armed conflicts.
Republic of Korea, ICC Act, 2007, Article 12(2).
6. making improper use … of the flag or of the military insignia and uniform of … the United Nations …, resulting in death or serious personal injury.
Senegal, Penal Code, 1965, as amended in 2007, Article 431-3(b)(6).
Slovakia’s Criminal Code (1961), as amended, punishes any “person who, in time of war, misuses the flag of the United Nations Organization”.
Slovakia, Criminal Code as amended, 1961, Article 265(2).
Under Slovenia’s Penal Code (1994), “whoever abuses or carries without authorization the flag or emblem of the United Nations Organization” commits a war crime.
Slovenia, Penal Code, 1994, Article 386(1).
Spain’s Penal Code (1995) punishes “anyone who, during an armed conflict … uses improperly … the flag, uniform, insignia or distinctive emblem … of the United Nations”.
Spain, Penal Code, 1995, Article 612(5).
4. Improperly using the protective or distinctive signs, emblems or signals established and recognized under international treaties to which Spain is a party.
Subject to the provisions of the Criminal Act of 1991, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, whoever intentionally misuses … insignia of any international … organization … the result of such acts being death, or considerable casualty among enemy personnel.
Sudan, Armed Forces Act, 2007, Article 155.
Under Sweden’s Penal Code (1962), as amended in 1998, “misuse of the insignia of the United Nations” constitutes a crime against international law.
Switzerland, Military Criminal Code, 1927, taking into account amendments entered into force up to 2011, Articles 110 and 112c (1)(g).
Switzerland, Penal Code, 1937, taking into account amendments entered into force up to 2011, Articles 264b and 264g (1)(g).
c. Its arms, flags and other emblems.
2. The prohibition applies similarly to imitations of the signs referred to in paragraph (1).
Anyone who, intentionally and in violation of the provisions of the present law, has made use of the names, acronyms, arms, flags and other emblems of intergovernmental organizations referred to in article 1 … or of any other signs constituting imitation thereof, … [commits a punishable offence].
Switzerland, Law on the Protection of the UN Names and Emblems, 1961, Articles 1 and 7(1).
15. Making improper use … of the flag or of the military insignia and uniform of the enemy or of the United Nations … , resulting in death or serious personal injury.
Uruguay, Law on Cooperation with the ICC, 2006, Article 26.2 and 26.3.15.
Under the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s Penal Code (1976), as amended in 2001, “those who misuse or carry without permission the flag or emblem of the United Nations Organization” commit a war crime.
Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of, Penal Code, 1976, as amended in 2001, Article 153(1).
The misuse of international emblems is committed, as a rule, during a war or an armed conflict … The aggravated form of this criminal act … exists when the misuse or unauthorized use of international emblems is committed in the war operations zone.
Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of, Penal Code, 1976, as amended in 2001, Commentary on Article 153.
According to the Report on the Practice of Indonesia, although it is not specifically mentioned in Indonesia’s Military Manual, senior officers of the Indonesian armed forces consider that the use of UN peacekeeping uniforms would come within the prohibition of the use of uniforms of neutral States or other States not parties to the conflict.
Report on the Practice of Indonesia, 1997, Interviews with senior officers of the armed forces, Chapter 2.6, referring to The Basics of International Humanitarian Law, Legal Division of the Indonesian Armed Forces, 1982, § 104.
A training video on IHL produced by the UK Ministry of Defence illustrates the rule that the false use of emblems is forbidden.
United Kingdom, Ministry of Defence, Training Video: The Geneva Conventions, 1986, Report on UK Practice, 1997, Chapter 2.4.
should take such legislative or other appropriate measures as are necessary to prevent the use, without authorization by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and in particular for commercial purposes by means of trade marks or commercial labels, of the emblem … of the United Nations.
UN General Assembly, Res. 92 (I), 7 December 1946, § (a), adopted without a vote.
In 1995, in a report concerning the former Yugoslavia, the UN Secretary-General referred to, on the basis of information gathered by UNPROFOR, the alleged use of UN uniforms by Bosnian Serbs.
UN Secretary-General, Report submitted pursuant to Security Council Resolution 1010 (1995), UN Doc. S/1995/755, 30 August 1995, § 11.
In 1995, in a report on the situation of human rights in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, the Special Rapporteur of the UN Commission on Human Rights reported the use of UNPROFOR uniforms by Bosnian Serb soldiers at the fall of Srebrenica. They had allegedly pretended to be local UNPROFOR staff and urged people fleeing from Srebrenica to go to particular locations, possibly into traps.
UN Commission on Human Rights, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Former Yugoslavia, Final periodic report, UN Doc. E/CN.4/1996/9, 22 August 1995, § 35.
In 1992, at the Helsinki Summit of Heads of State or Government, CSCE participating States reaffirmed their commitment to prevent the misuse of the UN emblem.
CSCE, Helsinki Summit of Heads of State or Government, 9–10 July 1992, Helsinki Document 1992: The Challenges of Change, Decisions, Chapter VI: The Human Dimension, § 51.
To fulfil its task of disseminating IHL, the ICRC has delegates around the world teaching armed and security forces that “it is prohibited to use the distinctive emblem of the United Nations, except as authorized by that Organization”.
Frédéric de Mulinen, Handbook on the Law of War for Armed Forces, ICRC, Geneva, 1987, § 406.

References: § 8
 § 1
 § 903
 § 513
 § 1305
 § 704
 § 1315
 § 7
 § 131
 § 222
 § 222
 § 11
 § 79
 § 605
 § 856
 § 12
 § 473
 § 9
 § 502
 § 713
 § 27
 § 28
 § 5
 § 137
 § 5
 § 3
 § 7
 § 3
 § 5
 § 8
 § 8
 § 12
 § 12
 § 105
 § 268
 § 12
 § 328
 § 105
 § 104
 § 11
 § 35
 § 51
 § 406