Geneva Conventions Act 1957

F1 [F2 Article 60— U.K. Demilitarised zones

Textual Amendments

F1 Fifth and Sixth Schedules inserted (20.7.1998) by 1995 c. 27, s. 6, Sch.; S.I. 1998/1505, art. 2

F2 Fifth and Sixth Schedules inserted (20.7.1998) by 1995 c. 27, s. 6, Sch.; S.I. 1998/1505, art. 2

F3 1 U.K. 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 demilitarised zone, if such extension is contrary to the terms of this agreement.

Textual Amendments

F3 Fifth and Sixth Schedules inserted (20.7.1998) by 1995 c. 27, s. 6, Sch.; S.I. 1998/1505, art. 2

F4 2 U.K. The agreement shall be an express agreement, may be concluded verbally or in writing, either directly or through a Protecting Power or any impartial humanitarian organisation, 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 demilitarised zone and, if necessary, lay down the methods of supervision.

Textual Amendments

F4 Fifth and Sixth Schedules inserted (20.7.1998) by 1995 c. 27, s. 6, Sch.; S.I. 1998/1505, art. 2

F5 3 U.K. The subject of such an agreement shall normally be any zone which fulfils the following conditions:

(a) all combatants, as well as mobile weapons and mobile military equipment, must have been evacuated;

(b) no hostile use shall be made of fixed military installations or establishments;

(c) no acts of hostility shall be committed by the authorities or by the population; and

(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 condition laid down in sub-paragraph (d) and upon persons to be admitted to the demilitarised zone other than those mentioned in paragraph 4.

Textual Amendments

F5 Fifth and Sixth Schedules inserted (20.7.1998) by 1995 c. 27, s. 6, Sch.; S.I. 1998/1505, art. 2

F6 4 U.K. The presence, in this zone, of persons specially protected under the Conventions and this Protocol, and of police forces retained for the sole purpose of maintaining law and order, is not contrary to the conditions laid down in paragraph 3.

Textual Amendments

F6 Fifth and Sixth Schedules inserted (20.7.1998) by 1995 c. 27, s. 6, Sch.; S.I. 1998/1505, art. 2

F7 5 U.K. The Party which is in control of such a zone shall mark it, so far as possible, by such signs as may be agreed upon with the other Party, which shall be displayed where they are clearly visible, especially on its perimeter and limits and on highways.

Textual Amendments

F7 Fifth and Sixth Schedules inserted (20.7.1998) by 1995 c. 27, s. 6, Sch.; S.I. 1998/1505, art. 2

F8 6 U.K. If the fighting draws near to a demilitarised zone, and if the Parties to the conflict have so agreed, none of them may use the zone for purposes related to the conduct of military operations or unilaterally revoke its status.

Textual Amendments

F8 Fifth and Sixth Schedules inserted (20.7.1998) by 1995 c. 27, s. 6, Sch.; S.I. 1998/1505, art. 2

F9 7 U.K. If one of the Parties to the conflict commits a material breach of the provisions of paragraphs 3 or 6, the other Party shall be released from its obligations under the agreement conferring upon the zone the status of demilitarised 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.]

Textual Amendments

F9 Fifth and Sixth Schedules inserted (20.7.1998) by 1995 c. 27, s. 6, Sch.; S.I. 1998/1505, art. 2