Source: https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v2_rul_rule60
Timestamp: 2019-07-22 07:01:30
Document Index: 563678222

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 6', '§ 1', '§ 12', '§ 502', '§ 713', '§ 27', '§ 28', '§ 5', '§ 3', '§ 7', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 223', '§ 11', '§ 35', '§ 406']

Customary IHL - Practice Relating to Rule 60. Improper Use of the United Nations Emblem or Uniform
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.
Article 38(2) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I provides: “It is prohibited to make use of the distinctive emblem of the United Nations, except as authorized by that Organization.”
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.
The approved text provided: “It is forbidden to make use of the distinctive emblem of the United Nations, except as authorized by that organization.”
Article 3 of the 1994 Convention on the Safety of UN Personnel provides:
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.
According to paragraph 6 of the 1952 UN Flag Code, “the flag may be used in military operations only upon express authorization to that effect by a competent organ of the United Nations”. Paragraph 11 provides: “Any violation of this Flag Code may be punished in accordance with the law of the country in which such violation takes place.”
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.
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’s Law of War Manual (1989) states: “It is prohibited … to make use of the emblem of the United Nations, unless authorized [to do so].”
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).
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)”.
Ecuador’s Naval Manual (1989) states: “The flag of the United Nations and the letters ‘UN’ may not be used in armed conflict for any purpose without the authorization of the United Nations.”
Ecuador, Aspectos Importantes del Derecho Internacional Marítimo que Deben Tener Presente los Comandantes de los Buques, Academia de Guerra Naval, 1989, § 12.4.
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”.
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.
The Military Manual (2005) of the Netherlands states: “It is also forbidden to misuse the emblem of the United Nations.”
New Zealand’s Military Manual (1992) provides: “Improper use of protective symbols including that of the United Nations is prohibited.”
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’s IHL Manual (2004) states: “It is prohibited to make use of the distinctive emblem of the United Nations, except as authorized by the organization.”
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’s IHL and Human Rights Manual (2010) states: “It is prohibited to make use of the distinctive emblem of the United Nations, except as authorized by the organization.”
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.
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’s LOAC Manual (2007) states: “It is prohibited to use the distinctive emblem of the United Nations unless authorized to do so by the organization.”
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.
The Aide-Memoire also states with regard to the protective signs of the UN: “Prohibited is/are … Any improper use of the distinctive sign.”
223 Misuse of a distinctive sign and the feigning of protected status are prohibited in any place and at any time. …
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”.
The UK LOAC Manual (2004) states: “It is prohibited to … make use of the distinctive emblem of the United Nations, except as authorized by that Organization.”
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.
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”.
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.
(1) Whoever misuses or carries without authorization the flag or emblem of the Organization of the United Nations …
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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’s Criminal Code (1997), as amended to 2006, punishes whoever “misuses or carries without authorization the flag or emblem of the United Nations”.
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”.
(iii) badges, insignia or names of international organisations.
(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.
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”.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
Norway’s Penal Code (1902) provides that it is a punishable offence to use:
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’s Penal Code (1902), as amended in 2008, states: “Any person is liable to punishment for a war crime who in connection with an armed conflict … makes improper use of a flag of … the United Nations … resulting in death or serious injury.”
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.
Poland’s Penal Code (1997) punishes “any person who, during hostilities, uses … flags … of an international organization … in violation of international law”.
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.
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.
Serbia’s Criminal Code (2005) states: “Whoever abuses or carries without authorization the flag or sign of the United Nations Organization … or symbols corresponding thereto or … who orders such acts to be committed, shall be punished by imprisonment for up to three years.”
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.
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”.
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.
Under Sweden’s Penal Code (1962), as amended in 1998, “misuse of the insignia of the United Nations” constitutes a crime against international law.
g. makes improper use … of the flag, the uniform, the military insignia … of the United Nations Organization[.]
1. It is prohibited, except as authorized by the Secretary-General of the Organization of the United Nations, to use the following signs, belonging to the said organization
a. The name of the organization (in every language);
b. Its acronyms (in official Swiss languages and in English);
c. Its arms, flags and other emblems.
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.
In a resolution adopted in 1946 on the official seal and emblem of the United Nations, the UN General Assembly provided that member States:
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.
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.