Most people think that the occupation - is the introduction of foreign troops on the territory of a sovereign state, all or a part of it.Based on this representation many politicians make strong statements, to stir up public opinion and simultaneously increasing his popularity among voters.Ordinary citizens listen to them and make their own conclusions.Are they true?
Geneva Convention
Each of the cases of the armed forces outside the country (any) can be classified according to international law, in particular the Geneva Convention 1927.This international document provides a clear definition of what the occupation, and how it differs, for example, interventions or actions of the peacekeeping contingent.The Convention specifies what action have the right to produce in the occupied territories foreign troops and what they do is prohibited.Of course, in modern warfare, bearing usually a total character, the rules of civilized behavior army often violated.An international agreement only refers to the ideal course of action to be pursued command, if it wishes to avoid prosecution after the end of hostilities.Of course, in case of failure.The winners, as is well known, do not judge.
meaning of the word "occupation"
in Latin and other languages have the words "occupatio, occupation" and other derivatives with a similar sound and root.They mean "occupation", and in every sense of the Russian translation.Engaged in some affair, borrow money (borrow) and the area too - do not capture and hold.Accordingly, under the Geneva Convention, the occupation - this is a temporary presence of foreign armed groups in the territory of the state.Since each aggressor at the time of the attack is set primarily in his eternal domination, the invader himself, he does not think finding excuses for their actions.If the military campaign is successful, the territory becomes attached part of the state, has carried out its military grip.Especially if the majority of its population does not object to such a situation.It should be noted that there can be only occupied territory (or part thereof) of the State in which there is a war.
What can the occupiers
usual occupation - this is a temporary situation, and often forced, therefore, to hasten the jurisdiction of the country, to carry it out on the controlled territories should not be.If the movable property of a hostile state or its material assets (cash, bonds and so on.) Are necessary for the continuation of hostilities, they are subject to confiscation.
Move the local population can, but only if it is required to ensure its security situation and projected future hostilities.
Administration in the occupied territory shall occupation command.Criminal law remains the same, except for his articles that contradict the norms of the state, carried out the occupation.
forced to work only in order to ensure normal living conditions for the population, or if in need armed forces that carried out the occupation.It is the most controversial point of the Convention, allowing a very free interpretation, although there refines the reservation.On the construction of fortifications the local population should not run.
What occupiers can not do
If we compare the provisions of the Geneva Convention to the actual implementation of its articles in the course of military conflicts have occurred in the XX and XXI centuries, we can only wonder sad fact that none of them passed without many fundamentaland gross violations.
Forcing local people to the issuance of defense-related information is prohibited.Life, honor, health, property and the right to religious practice shall be inviolable.You can not force anyone to fight against their own countrymen.
destroy, destroy or harm to buildings, forests, farmland, monuments of culture, art, science and education institutions, church institutions also impossible.Stole the population (deported) to the territory of his powers and is strictly forbidden by the Geneva Convention.
interfere in the work of the local judiciary can not.
That is what the occupation in the civilized sense of the word.So far, so it has not been seen ...
