Source: http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/1874a.htm
Timestamp: 2013-12-08 13:14:05
Document Index: 613876749

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art. 9', 'Art. 10', 'Art. 12', 'Art. 14', 'Art. 15', 'Art. 17', 'Art. 19', 'Art. 23', 'Art. 27', 'Art. 28', 'Art. 35', 'Art. 36', 'Art. 38', 'Art. 42', 'Art. 46']

Project of an International Declaration Concerning the Laws and Customs of War, Aug. 27, 1874, 4 Martens Nouveau Recueil (ser. 2) 219, 65 BRIT. FOREIGN & ST. PAPERS 1005 (1873-74). [The Human Rights Library wishes to express its gratitude to the Institute Henry Dunant for its contribution of this document.]
Article 1. Territory is considered occupied when it is actually placed under the authority of the hostile army. The occupation extends only to the territory where such authority has been established and can be exercised.
Who should be recognized as belligerents combatants and non-combatants Art. 9. The laws, rights, and duties of war apply not only to armies, but also to militia and volunteer corps fulfilling the following conditions:
1. That they be commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates; 2. That they have a fixed distinctive emblem recognizable at a distance; 3. That they carry arms openly; and 4. That they conduct their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war. In countries where militia constitute the army, or form part of it, they are included under the denomination ' army '. Art. 10. The population of a territory which has not been occupied, who, on the approach of the enemy, spontaneously take up arms to resist the invading troops without having had time to organize themselves in accordance with Article 9, shall be regarded as belligerents if they respect the laws and customs of war.
Means of injuring the enemy Art. 12. The laws of war do not recognize in belligerents an unlimited power in the adoption of means of injuring the enemy.
(a) Employment of poison or poisoned weapons; (b) Murder by treachery of individuals belonging to the hostile nation or army; (c) Murder of an enemy who, having laid down his arms or having no longer means of defense, has surrendered at discretion; (d) The declaration that no quarter will be given; (e) The employment of arms, projectiles or material calculated to cause unnecessary suffering, as well as the use of projectiles prohibited by the Declaration of St. Petersburg of 1868; (f) Making improper use of a flag of truce, of the national flag or of the military insignia and uniform of the enemy, as well as the distinctive badges of the Geneva Convention; (g) Any destruction or seizure of the enemy's property that is not imperatively demanded by the necessity of war. Art. 14. Ruses of war and the employment of measures necessary for obtaining information about the enemy and the country (excepting the provisions of Article 36) are considered permissible.
Sieges and bombardments Art. 15. Fortified places are alone liable to be besieged. Open towns, agglomerations of dwellings, or villages which are not defended can neither be attacked nor bombarded.
Art. 17. In such cases all necessary steps must be taken to spare, as far as possible, buildings dedicated to art, science, or charitable purposes, hospitals, and places where the sick and wounded are collected provided they are not being used at the time for military purposes. It is the duty of the besieged to indicate the presence of such buildings by distinctive and visible signs to be communicated to the enemy beforehand
Spies Art. 19. A person can only be considered a spy when acting clandestinely or on false pretenses he obtains or endeavours to obtain information in the districts occupied by the enemy, with the intention of communicating it to the hostile party.
Prisoners of war Art. 23. Prisoners of war are lawful and disarmed enemies.
They are in the power of the hostile Government, but not in that of the individuals or corps who captured them. They must be humanely treated.
Art. 27. The Government into whose hands prisoners of war have fallen charges itself with their maintenance. The conditions of such maintenance may be settled by a reciprocal agreement between the belligerent parties. In the absence of this agreement, and as a general principle, prisoners of war shall be treated as regards food and clothing, on the same footing as the troops of the Government which captured them.
Art. 28. Prisoners of war are subject to the laws and regulations in force in the army in whose power they are. Arms may be used, after summoning, against a prisoner of war attempting to escape. If recaptured he is liable to disciplinary punishment or subject to a stricter surveillance.
The sick and wounded Art. 35. The obligations of belligerents with respect to the service of the sick and wounded are governed by the Geneva Convention of 22 August 1864, save such modifications as the latter may undergo.
On the military power with respect to private persons Art. 36. The population of occupied territory cannot be forced to take part in military operations against its own country.
Art. 38. Family honour and rights, and the lives and property of persons, as well as their religious convictions and their practice, must be respected. Private property cannot be confiscated.
Art. 42. Requisitions shall be made only with the authorization of the commander in the territory occupied. For every requisition indemnity shall be granted or a receipt delivered.
Art. 46. The conditions of capitulations are discussed between the Contracting Parties.
They must not be contrary to military honour. Once settled by a convention, they must be scrupulously observed by both parties.