Source: https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v2_rul_rule36
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 09:07:44
Document Index: 50174275

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 737', '§ 7', '§ 9', '§ 100', '§ 25', '§ 27', '§ 28', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 3', '§ 2', '§ 4', '§ 2', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 418', '§ 943', '§ 737', '§ 928', '§ 9', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 7', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 5', '§ 268', '§ 1']

Customary IHL - Practice Relating to Rule 36. Demilitarized Zones
Under paragraph D of the 1949 Karachi Agreement, India and Pakistan agreed that “no troops shall be stationed from south of Minimarg to the cease-fire line”.
Karachi Agreement Establishing a Cease-fire Line in the State of Jammu and Kashmir concluded between India and Pakistan, Karachi, 27 July 1949, § d.
Article I(6) and (10) of the 1953 Panmunjom Armistice Agreement stipulates that neither side shall execute any hostile act within, from, or against the established demilitarized zone and that the total number of military personnel from each side allowed to enter the zone cannot exceed 1,000 persons at one time under any circumstance.
Agreement between the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, on the one hand, and the Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army and the Commander of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, on the other hand, concerning a Military Armistice in Korea, Panmunjom, 27 July 1953, Article I(6) and (10).
The 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria created a demilitarized zone on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. This agreement is subject to international supervision.
Article 60 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I provides:
2. The agreement [to establish a demilitarized zone] shall be an express agreement, may be concluded verbally or in writing, either directly or through a Protecting Power or any impartial humanitarian organization, and may consist of reciprocal and concordant declarations. The agreement may be concluded in peacetime, as well as after the outbreak of hostilities, and should define and describe, as precisely as possible, the limits of the demilitarized zone and, if necessary, lay down the methods of supervision.
d) any activity linked to the military effort must have ceased.
The Parties to the conflict shall agree upon the interpretation to be given to the conditions laid down in sub-paragraph d) and upon persons to be admitted to the demilitarized zone other than those mentioned in paragraph 4.
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 60. Article 60 was adopted by consensus. CDDH, Official Records, Vol. VI, CDDH/SR.42, 27 May 1977, p. 215.
The 1979 Peace Treaty between Israel and Egypt created a demilitarized zone in the Sinai, subject to international supervision. Egyptian civilian police are allowed to operate in the demilitarized zone set up pursuant to the agreement.
Article 3 of the 1993 Agreement on Demilitarization of Srebrenica and Žepa provided that every military or paramilitary unit should either withdraw from the demilitarized zones or hand over their weapons.
Agreement on Demilitarization of Srebrenica and Žepa, concluded between Lt. Gen. Ratko Mladić and Gen. Sefer Halilović, in the presence of Lt. Gen. Philippe Morillon, Sarajevo, 8 May 1993, Article 3.
Under Article 5, ammunition, mines, explosives and combat supplies in the demilitarized zones were to be handed over to UNPROFOR, under whose control the demilitarized zones were placed.
Agreement on Demilitarization of Srebrenica and Žepa, concluded between Lt. Gen. Ratko Mladić and Gen. Sefer Halilović, in the presence of Lt. Gen. Philippe Morillon, Sarajevo, 8 May 1993, Article 5.
Demilitarised zones are areas in which, by express agreement between the parties to the conflict, military operations are not conducted. The aim of these zones is common to that of non-defended localities. The differences between the two areas relate to how they are established and their situation. A non-defended locality may be created by unilateral declaration, whereas a demilitarised zone is created by express agreement between the parties. From the commander’s point of view, protection granted to each zone is identical. Therefore, as long as sufficient notice is given of the zones and they are adequately marked, they are protected from attack.
Australia, Manual on Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 – Interim Edition, 1994, § 737.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 7.40; see also § 9.40.
Hungary, A Hadijog, Jegyzet a Katonai, Föiskolák Hallgatói Részére , Magyar Honvédség Szolnoki Repülötiszti Föiskola, 1992, p. 23.
Kenya’s LOAC Manual (1997), in a section entitled “Demilitarized Zones”, states:
These specific protected zones which are open to all non-combatants are regulated by an express agreement concluded verbally or in writing between the two Parties to the conflict. Such an agreement may be concluded in peacetime as well as after the outbreak of hostilities.
Madagascar’s Military Manual (1994) provides that the term “demilitarized zone” means a zone from which all combatants as well as all mobile weapons and military material have been evacuated, and in which fixed military establishments are not used for harmful purposes, no hostile act can be committed by the authorities and the population, and all activities linked to the military effort have ceased. It states that demilitarized zones are created by agreement between the parties concerned.
Madagascar, Le Droit des Conflits Armés, Ministère des Forces Armées, August 1994, Fiche No. 3-SO, § I.
Nigeria’s Military Manual (1994) notes that preplanned protected zones, including demilitarized zones, are established by agreement between belligerent parties or can be internationally recognized.
Peru’s IHL Manual (2004) defines the term “demilitarized zone” as:
Any zone fulfilling the following requirements:
a. all combatants, weapons and military equipment have been removed;
b. no hostile use is made of fixed military installations or establishments;
c. no acts of hostility are committed by the authorities or the population;
d. any activity linked to the military effort has ceased.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial Nº 1394-2004-DE/CCFFAA/CDIH-FFAA, Lima, 1 December 2004, Annex 9, Glossary of Terms; see also § 100.f.
(a) locate certain areas ( … demilitarized zones) at a safe distance from military operations;
(e) permit the marking of … demilitarized zones with distinctive signs.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial Nº 1394-2004-DE/CCFFAA/CDIH-FFAA, Lima, 1 December 2004, § 25.b.(2)(a) and (e); see also §§ 27.h.(1).(c) and 104.c.
Peru’s IHL and Human Rights Manual (2010) defines “Demilitarized Zones” in its Glossary of Terms as:
c. no acts of hostility are committed by the authorities or the civilian population;
[The following] … zones shall be established by agreements between the parties to the conflict, or can be recognized internationally as:
(c) Demilitarized Zones.
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(h)(c), p. 240–241.
(e) Allow the marking with distinctive emblems of … demilitarized zones.
demilitarised zone is a zone from which, on agreement between the parties to the conflict, all combatants and mobile military objectives have been evacuated and the fixed military objectives located therein are not used for hostile purposes, the authorities and the population refrain from acts of hostility and any military activities are terminated.
Sierra Leone’s Instructor Manual (2007) defines demilitarized zones as:
battle-free areas from which, on agreement between the parties to the conflict, military personnel, mobile military equipment and other military activities have been removed or ceased to protect the occupants from attack.
Sierra Leone, The Law of Armed Conflict. Instructor Manual for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Armed Forces Education Centre, September 2007, pp. 28–29.
Spain’s LOAC Manual (1996) notes that demilitarized zones are areas established by an agreement between the belligerents and designed to protect especially vulnerable sectors of the population from the effects of war. The manual refers to Article 60 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
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, §§ 1.3.e.(2) and 7.3.b.(5).
Spain’s LOAC Manual (2007) states that the zones in which military operations are not permitted include demilitarized zones.
1.3.e.(2). Demilitarized zones
These are areas where military operations cannot be carried out and are accorded this status by express agreement of the parties to the conflict.
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, §§ 1.3.e and 1.3.e.(2).
Sweden’s IHL Manual (1991) refers to Article 60 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I as embodying “new provisions” on demilitarized zones. It stresses that, unlike non-defended localities, demilitarized zones cannot be established merely through a unilateral declaration; an agreement between the parties, made either before or during a conflict, is necessary. The manual adds:
Article 60 does not only imply prohibition of the setting-up of fixed defence establishments within [a demilitarized area] … [I]t is also prohibited to undertake military operations within the zone – always provided that the parties do not decide otherwise. A demilitarised zone shall not be open to occupation by the adversary, as in the case with non-defended localities.
The manual recalls that “the conditions required for a [demilitarized] area are the same as for non-defended localities”, with the only difference that the condition relating to activity supporting military operations “has been extended to apply to any activity connected with the military”.
Sweden, International Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflict, with reference to the Swedish Total Defence System, Swedish Ministry of Defence, January 1991, Section 3.4.3, pp. 87–88.
Switzerland’s Basic Military Manual (1987) states, with reference to Article 60 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I, that demilitarized zones can be established by military commanders of the parties to the conflict.
Switzerland, Lois et coutumes de la guerre (Extrait et commentaire), Règlement 51.7/II f, Armée Suisse, 1987, Article 12(2).
The manual points out that demilitarized zones, as well as non-defended localities, may be established through specific reciprocal declarations and that a unilateral declaration is not sufficient to create them.
Switzerland, Lois et coutumes de la guerre (Extrait et commentaire), Règlement 51.7/II f, Armée Suisse, 1987, Article 32(2) and (4).
The conditions for the setting-up of a demilitarized zone are the same as for non-defended localities, namely: all combatants as well as mobile weapons and military equipment must be evacuated; no hostile use shall be made of fixed military installations or establishments; no acts of hostility shall be committed by the authorities or by the population; any activity in support of the military effort must cease; and the zone must be marked by distinctive signs.
Switzerland, Lois et coutumes de la guerre (Extrait et commentaire), Règlement 51.7/II f, Armée Suisse, 1987, Article 32(2).
“Demilitarized zone” means any zone from which all combatants, as well as mobile weapons and mobile military equipment, have been evacuated upon agreement of the parties to the armed conflict. No acts of hostility shall be committed by the authorities or by the population of the zone.
Demilitarized zones shall be marked by signs agreed between parties to the armed conflict.
Ukraine, Manual on the Application of IHL Rules, Ministry of Defence, 11 September 2004, § 1.2.49; see also § 1.2.51.
United States, Air Force Pamphlet 110-34, Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Armed Conflict , Judge Advocate General, US Department of the Air Force, 25 July 1980, § 3-6(b).
The Act Establishing the Demilitarized Zone, annexed to the 1990 Effective and Definitive Cease-fire Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan Resistance (1990), provides that “in the demilitarized zone, there shall be no artillery, no offensive troops of any kind, no militia and no paramilitary or security forces” and that “the police of the villages situated within the demilitarized zone shall be disarmed”.
Nicaragua, Act Establishing the Demilitarized Zone, Effective and Definitive Cease-fire Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua and the Nicaraguan Resistance, annexed to Note verbale dated 23 April to the UN Secretary-General, UN Doc. A/44/941-S/21272, 25 April 1990, Annex II, pp. 8–9, §§ 2 and 4.
The Report on the Practice of Colombia notes that the government has ordered the demilitarization of certain regions of the country in order to enable a constructive dialogue to be developed concerning the demobilization and reintegration of armed opposition groups. Another purpose of these zones is to carry out humanitarian operations, such as the release of persons deprived of freedom.
Report on the Practice of Colombia, 1998, Chapter 1.8.
In the framework of the 2008 DRC Pledge of Commitment signed by a number of armed groups, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), taking note of the pledge of the contracting parties and upon their request, undertook in conformity with the pertinent recommendations of the Conference on Peace, Stability and Development in the Provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu to “create a demilitarized zone to allow the deployment of, in particular, MONUC [UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo] observers, and to secure the return of displaced persons.”
Acte d’engagement signé par le CNDP-Mouvement Politico-Militaire, la PARECO/FAP, les Mai-Mai Kasindien, les Mai-Mai Kifuafua, les Mai-Mai Vurondo, les Mai-Mai Mongol, l’UJPS, les Mai-Mai Rwenzori et le Simba avec l’engagement solennel des Représentants de la Communauté Internationale, facilitateurs du présent acte d’engagement – les Nations-Unies, la Conférence Internationale sur la Région des Grands Lacs, les Etats-Unis d’Amérique, l’Union Africaine, l’Union Européenne et le Gouvernement (Pledge of Commitment signed by the CNDP-Mouvement Politico-Militaire, PARECO/FAP, Mai-Mai Kasindien, Mai-Mai Kifuafua, Mai-Mai Vurondo, Mai-Mai Mongol, UJPS, Mai-Mai Rwenzori and Simba with the solemn commitment of the representatives of the international community, facilitators of this pledge of commitment – the United Nations, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the United States of America, the European Union and the Government), Goma, 23 January 2008, Article IV, § 4.
According to the Report on the Practice of Kuwait, the Kuwaiti Government considers that military troops or their materiel are barred from entering the demilitarized zone in northern Kuwait. This protection is ensured by representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, who are not allowed to enter the area with high-calibre weapons. Allegations of violations by the Iraqi party must be transmitted to UNIKOM for appropriate action.
Report on the Practice of Kuwait, 1997, Chapter 1.8.
Switzerland, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, ABC of International Humanitarian Law, 2009, p. 31.
According to the Report on the Practice of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, “the opinio iuris and the customary nature of rules relevant to the establishment of demilitarised zones in the FRY is absolutely clear”.
In 1994, in a statement by its President on the situation in Croatia, the UN Security Council denounced the continuing violation of the demilitarized status of Prevlaka. Referring, inter alia, to the movement of heavy weapons and of Croatian special police and the entry of a navy missile boat of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia into the demilitarized zone, the Security Council underlined its concern in this regard and called upon the parties to cease such violations.
UN Security Council, Statement by the President, UN Doc. S/PRST/1997/23, 25 April 1997.
In a report in 1990, the UN Secretary-General referred to complaints made to ONUCA by leaders of the Nicaraguan resistance concerning the continued presence of armed civilians and militia personnel in some of the demilitarized zones.
UN Secretary-General, Report on ONUCA, UN Doc. S/21341, 4 June 1990, § 2.
In a report concerning UNIKOM in 1997, the UN Secretary-General denounced a number of violations in the demilitarized zone on the Iraq-Kuwait border. He noted that 10 of the 14 ground violations were related to the presence of military and armed personnel in this zone. Insofar as air violations were concerned, they involved overflights by aircraft of types used by the coalition forces.
UN Secretary-General, Report on UNIKOM, UN Doc. S/1997/255, 26 March 1997, § 4.
In a 1998 report regarding UNCRO in Croatia, whose mandate included the demilitarization of the Prevlaka peninsula, the UN Secretary-General considered the presence of Yugoslav troops in the north-western part of the demilitarized zone as the most significant long-standing violation in this area.
UN Secretary-General, Report on the UN Observer Mission in Prevlaka, UN Doc. S/1998/578, 26 June 1998, § 5.
To fulfil its task of disseminating IHL, the ICRC has delegates around the world teaching armed and security forces that: “Preplanned protected zones are established by agreement between belligerent Parties … [including] … demilitarized zones”.
Frédéric de Mulinen, Handbook on the Law of War for Armed Forces, ICRC, Geneva, 1987, § 418.
Article I(6) of the 1953 Panmunjom Armistice Agreement provides: “Neither side shall execute any hostile act … against the demilitarised zone”.
Agreement between the Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command, on the one hand, and the Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army and the Commander of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, on the other hand, concerning a Military Armistice in Korea, Panmunjom, 27 July 1953, Article I(6).
Article 60(1) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I provides:
It is prohibited for the Parties to the conflict to extend their military operations to zones on which they have conferred by agreement the status of demilitarized zone, if such extension is contrary to the terms of this agreement.
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 60(1). Article 60 was adopted by consensus. CDDH, Official Records, Vol. VI, CDDH/SR.42, 27 May 1977, p. 215.
Article 60(7) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I provides:
If one of the Parties to the conflict commits a material breach of the provisions of paragraphs 3 or 6 [concerning the conditions to be fulfilled by a zone to be established as a demilitarized zone and the prohibition to use the zone for purposes related to the conduct of military operations], the other Party shall be released from its obligations under the agreement conferring upon the zone the status of demilitarized zone. In such an eventuality, the zone loses its status but shall continue to enjoy the protection provided by the other provisions of this Protocol and the other rules of international law applicable in armed conflict.
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 60(7). Article 60 was adopted by consensus. CDDH, Official Records, Vol. VI, CDDH/SR.42, 27 May 1977, p. 215.
Under Article 85(3)(d) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I, “making … demilitarized zones the object of attack” is a grave breach of the Protocol.
Pursuant to Article 20(e)(iii) of the 1996 ILC Draft Code of Crimes against the Peace and Security of Mankind, “[a]ttack, or bombardment, by whatever means, of … demilitarized zones” is a war crime.
Australia’s Defence Force Manual (1994) states: “Generally, demilitarised zones are protected from attack.”
Australia, Manual on Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 – Interim Edition, 1994, § 943; see also § 737 and Law of Armed Conflict, Commanders’ Guide, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 Supplement 1 – Interim Edition, 7 March 1994, § 928.
The manual further provides that “making … demilitarised zones the object of attack” constitutes a grave breach or a serious war crime likely to warrant institution of criminal proceedings.
Australia’s LOAC Manual (2006) states: “Generally, demilitarised zones are protected from attack.”
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 9.44.
• making … demilitarised zones the object of attack.
Benin’s Military Manual (1995) prohibits attacks on demilitarized zones.
Djibouti’s Manual on International Humanitarian Law (2004) states that the following “are currently considered as war crimes, … if committed against any person not or no longer participating in hostilities: … attacking … demilitarized zones”.
Ecuador’s Naval Manual (1989) provides that demilitarized zones established by agreement must not be attacked.
In prohibiting attacks against demilitarized areas, France’s LOAC Manual (2001) is guided by Article 60(1) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
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. 125.
According to Kenya’s LOAC Manual (1997), demilitarized zones are protected from “attack and military operations”.
Nigeria’s Military Manual (1994) states: “Preplanned protected zones are established by agreement between belligerent parties … [including] demilitarised zones”.
According to Spain’s LOAC Manual (1996), demilitarized zones are areas in which military operations may not be carried out and against which attacks are prohibited. The manual refers to Article 60 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
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, §§ 4.5.b.(3)(b) and 7.3.b.(5).
The manual further states that “launching an attack against demilitarized zones” constitutes a war crime.
It is prohibited to extend military operations to zones on which the parties to the conflict have conferred by agreement the status of demilitarized zone, if such extension is contrary to the terms of the agreement.
If one of the parties commits an act of hostility in any such area or uses it for purposes relating to military operations, the other party is released from its obligations in this regard.
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, § 4.5.b.(3).(b); see also § 7.3.b.(5).
Switzerland’s Basic Military Manual (1987) prohibits attacks on demilitarized zones by any means.
The manual considers that demilitarized zones lose their protected status as soon as they are improperly used for military purposes.
Switzerland, Lois et coutumes de la guerre (Extrait et commentaire), Règlement 51.7/II f, Armée Suisse, 1987, Article 32(4).
The manual further provides that “launching an attack against … demilitarized zones” constitutes a grave breach of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
Togo’s Military Manual (1996) prohibits attacks on demilitarized zones.
Ukraine’s IHL Manual (2004) states: “Attacks against or hostilities within … demilitarized zones shall be prohibited.”
Ukraine, Manual on the Application of IHL Rules, Ministry of Defence, 11 September 2004, § 1.2.50; see also §§ 1.2.51 and 1.8.5.
United Kingdom, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Ministry of Defence, 1 July 2004, § 5.39.
With regard to internal armed conflict, the manual provides that (in addition to the prohibition on attacks against undefended localities “[t]he other rules on protective zones applicable in international armed conflicts may be applied by analogy to internal armed conflicts”.
Under Armenia’s Penal Code (2003), “targeting … demilitarized zones” during an armed conflict constitutes a crime against the peace and security of mankind.
Australia’s Criminal Code Act (1995), as amended to 2007, states with respect to war crimes that are grave breaches of 1977 Additional Protocol I:
Australia’s ICC (Consequential Amendments) Act (2002) incorporates in the list of war crimes of the Criminal Code grave breaches of the 1977 Additional Protocol I, including “attacking … demilitarised zones”.
Australia, ICC (Consequential Amendments) Act, 2002, Schedule 1, § 268.98.
Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code (1999) provides that “directing attacks against … demilitarized zones” constitutes a war crime in international and non-international armed conflicts.
Belarus’s Criminal Code (1999) provides that it is a war crime to “direct attacks against demilitarized zones”.
Under the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Criminal Code (1998), it is a war crime to order that “demilitarized zones be indiscriminately targeted” or to carry out such targeting.
b) Targeting indiscriminately … demilitarized zones;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Criminal Code, 2003, Article 173(2)(b).
The Czech Republic’s Criminal Code (1961), as amended in 1999, provides for the punishment of “a commander who, contrary to the provisions of international law on means and methods of warfare, intentionally: … (b) leads an attack against a … demilitarized zone”.
Under Estonia’s Penal Code (2001), “an attack against … a demilitarized zone” is a war crime.
Under Georgia’s Criminal Code (1999), “making … demilitarized zones the object of attack” in an international or non-international armed conflict is a punishable crime.
Ireland, Geneva Conventions Act as amended, 1962, Section 3(1).
The Act adds that any “minor breach” of the 1977 Additional Protocol I, including violations of Article 60, is also a punishable offence.
Ireland, Geneva Conventions Act as amended, 1962, Section 4(1) and (4).
Jordan’s Military Penal Code (2002) states that the following shall be deemed a war crime when committed in the event of armed conflict: “Intentionally directing attacks on … demilitarized zones”.
Under Lithuania’s Criminal Code (1961), as amended in 1998, “a military attack against … a demilitarized zone” constitutes a war crime.
According to Niger’s Penal Code (1961), as amended in 2003, “putting under attack … demilitarized zones” is a war crime.
Niger, Penal Code as amended, 1961, Article 208.3(14).
2. Attacks by any means civilian objects, provided that they are protected as such under International Humanitarian Law, in particular … demilitarized zones.
Serbia’s Criminal Code (2005) states that ordering or committing an attack against “demilitarized zones”, in violation of international law, constitutes a war crime.
Slovakia’s Criminal Code (1961), as amended, provides for the punishment of “a commander who, contrary to the provisions of international law on means and methods of warfare, intentionally: … (b) leads an attack against a … demilitarized zone”.
Under Slovenia’s Penal Code (1994), “a random attack … on demilitarized areas” is a war crime.
Spain’s Penal Code (1995) provides for the punishment of “anyone who, in the event of armed conflict, should … knowingly violate the protection due to … demilitarized zones … which are duly identified with signs or the appropriate distinctive signals”.
1. Knowingly violating the protection owed to … demilitarized zones which are marked by the appropriate distinctive signs.
c. … demilitarized zones that are not military objectives.
Tajikistan’s Criminal Code (1998), in the section on “Serious violations of international humanitarian law”, provides for the punishment of “wilful breaches of norms of international humanitarian law committed in an international or non-international armed conflict, i.e. … making … demilitarized zones the object of attack”.
Tajikistan Criminal Code, 1998, Article 403(1).
41. Launching attacks against demilitarized zones.
Uruguay, Law on Cooperation with the ICC, 2006, Article 26.2 and 26.3.41.
Yemen’s Military Criminal Code (1998), in a part on war crimes, provides for the punishment of “unjustified attacks against demilitarized zones”.
Yemen, Military Criminal Code, 1998, Article 21(8).
The Report on the Practice of Angola notes that Article 60 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I prohibits attacks against demilitarized zones.
In a letter dated 6 March 1994 addressed to the UNPROFOR Command, the Commander-in-chief of the Headquarters of Bosnian Armed Forces denounced the killing and imprisonment of civilians in the demilitarized zones of Srebrenica and Žepa. The UN forces were requested to re-establish the previous positions of the lines, which had been shifted by the adverse party in the attempt to take over the demilitarized zone, and to deploy observers in the zones.
The Report on the Practice of Botswana states that demilitarized zones established by agreement between the belligerents shall not be attacked.
In 1996, in a letter to the President of the UN Security Council, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea transmitted a statement concerning the situation in the area of the military demarcation line. In the statement, claiming that the military authorities of the Republic of Korea had disregarded the armistice agreement, the spokesperson of the Panmunjom Mission of the Korean People’s Army drew up a list of alleged violations of the demilitarized zone. He declared, inter alia, that the Republic of Korea had introduced tanks, various kinds of artillery pieces and heavy weapons, as well as a large number of armed military personnel, into the zone, and had even built large military facilities there. According to the spokesperson, the area’s status did not correspond to the real meaning of a demilitarized zone since it had been armed and turned into a new attack position. The spokesperson thus stated that the Korean People’s Army did not consider itself any longer bound by the article of the armistice agreement concerning the demilitarized zone, and announced that since the status of this zone could not be maintained any longer, “self-defensive measures” would be considered.
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Letter dated 5 April 1996 to the President of the UN Security Council, UN Doc. S/1996/253, 8 April 1996.
The Report on the Practice of the Islamic Republic of Iran notes that the Islamic Republic of Iran objected on several occasions to the bombardment of demilitarized zones by Iraqi forces during the Iran–Iraq War, but adds that no other relevant practice could be found in this regard and that, therefore, no conclusion can be drawn from Iranian practice concerning the prohibition on the targeting of demilitarized zones.
The Report on the Practice of Nigeria states that it is Nigeria’s opinio juris that the protection of demilitarized zones is part of customary international law.
The Report on the Practice of Pakistan notes that a demilitarized zone was created under the 1949 Karachi Agreement. The report emphasizes that Pakistan has been respecting the said zone and has periodically reported violations of it by India to the UN Observer Group. The report, referring to a statement by a spokesperson of Pakistan’s Foreign Office made in 1997, also underlines that Pakistan has formally opposed any suggestion of terminating UNMOGIP.
Report on the Practice of Pakistan, 1998, Chapter 1.8, referring to Statement by the Foreign Office spokesperson, 24 April 1997.
The Report on the Practice of Rwanda notes that, although no practice was found regarding demilitarized zones, the President of the Military Tribunal confirmed that such zones would be protected according to the modalities agreed upon by the belligerents.
The Report on the Practice of the Syrian Arab Republic asserts that the Syrian Arab Republic considers Article 60 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I to be part of customary international law.
To fulfil its task of disseminating IHL, the ICRC has delegates around the world teaching armed and security forces that an attack against a demilitarized zone constitutes a grave breach of the law of war.
In a working paper on war crimes submitted in 1997 to the Preparatory Committee for the Establishment of an International Court, the ICRC proposed that “making demilitarized zones the objects of attack”, when committed in an international armed conflict, be subject to the jurisdiction of the Court.
ICRC, Working paper on war crimes submitted to the Preparatory Committee for the Establishment of an International Criminal Court, New York, 14 February 1997, § 1(b)(iv).