REGARDS THE CONCEPT OF «COMBATANT»

О ПОНЯТИИ «КОМБАТАНТ»

Конопленко Глеб Дмитриевич

курсант, кафедра перевода и переводоведения, Новосибирский ордена Жукова военный институт имени генерала армии И. К. Яковлева войск национальной гвардии Российской Федерации

РФ, г. Новосибирск

Далецкая Татьяна Анатольевна

научный руководитель, доц. кафедры перевода и переводоведения, Новосибирский ордена Жукова военный институт имени генерала армии И. К. Яковлева войск национальной гвардии Российской Федерации,

РФ, г. Новосибирск

ABSTRACT

This paper analyses the concept of “combatant” from the point of view of international humanitarian law. The characteristic features of combatants based on international conventions are considered. In particular, the types of combatants are described.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В данной статье анализируется понятие “комбатант” с точки зрения международного гуманитарного права. Рассматриваются характерные черты комбатантов, основанные на международных конвенциях. В частности, описываются типы комбатантов.

Keywords: law, international law, international humanitarian law, combatant, Geneva Convention, Hague Conference.

Ключевые слова: право, международное право, международное гуманитарное право, комбатант, Женевская конвенция, Гаагская конференция.

Armed conflicts have changed significantly over time, as have the legal norms governing restrictions on parties involved in hostilities. One of the key elements of this system is the establishment of a legal status of combatants and civilians, as well as a clear distinction between the two categories.

The purpose of the paper is to analyze the term “combatant”. The legal status of a combatant is determined by the norms of international humanitarian law.  Under General International Law “combatants are defined as members of the armed forces of a party to an international armed conflict” [1]. Geneva Convention pointed out that “no one can be a combatant of his or her own volition; he or she must belong to a group, which in turn must belong to a party to an international armed conflict” [2].

The concept of a “combatant” was first defined at the Second Hague Conference in 1907 in the framework of the Convention on the Laws and Customs of Land Warfare. Article 1 states that a combatant is a person who is part of the armed forces of the belligerents and is directly involved in combat operations against the enemy with weapons in his hands. Also, in order to have combatant status, it is necessary to meet the four conditions specified in this Convention: the presence of a leader responsible for subordinates; the presence of a clearly marked, easily distinguishable distinctive signs; the open carrying of weapons; observance of the laws and customs of war in actions.

To sum up, a combatant is a person who is part of the armed forces of a State participating in a conflict and has the right to participate directly in hostilities. He has the right to use military force in accordance with the orders of the command and the observance of the laws of war. In combat conditions a combatant may legitimately be the target of the use of military force, including the possibility of physical destruction.

If a combatant is wounded or captured, he is granted prisoner of war status with protection under international treaties such as the Geneva Conventions of 1949 [3]. Combatant status provides the right to humane treatment and exemption from criminal liability for participation in hostilities itself, provided lawful behavior. However, responsibility for the commission of war crimes remains.

The category of combatants can include not only regular troops, but also militias, volunteer formations and organized resistance movements, subject to certain conditions: the presence of command, the use of distinctive signs, armed and open carrying of weapons, as well as compliance with the laws and customs of warfare.

Special attention is paid to such categories of combatants as spies, since their participation in hostilities is considered illegal, and their legal status causes disputes. "An infiltrator can only be recognized as a person who, acting in secret or under false pretexts, collects or tries to collect information in the area of operations of one of the belligerents with the intention of informing the other side” [1].

One of the critical issues of the 21st century is the legal status of the UN peacekeeping forces since they do not participate in hostilities on the side of any of the parties to the conflict, they do not fall under the scope of the Additional Protocol of 1977 to the Geneva Conventions. However, in practice, peacekeepers can use weapons to defend themselves or protect civilians, and sometimes provide military support to one of the warring parties.

At the same time, they acquire the status of combatants, despite maintaining their peacekeeping status. Nevertheless, existing gaps in international law make it difficult to clearly distinguish between combatants and non-combatants. This requires the elimination of gaps and the development of clear legal criteria for new categories of modern combatants. The need to reform and review the current regulatory issue is of great importance to solve many existing problems in this area.

References:

1. Hague Convention respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land and its Annex: Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land (signed 18 October 1907, entered into force 26 January 1910) (1907) 205 CTS 277 [электронный ресурс] – Режим доступа. –  https://opil.ouplaw.com/display/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690 (дата обращения 7.11.2025)
2. Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (adopted 12 August 1949, entered into force 21 October 1950) 75 UNTS 135 (Geneva Convention III) [электронный ресурс] – Режим доступа. – https://opil.ouplaw.com/display/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690 (дата обращения 7.11.2025)
3. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field (adopted 12 August 1949, entered into force 21 October 1950) 75 UNTS 31 (Geneva Convention I) [электронный ресурс] – Режим доступа. – https://opil.ouplaw.com/display/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690 (дата обращения 7.11.2025)
4. Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I) (adopted 8 June 1977, entered into force 7 December 1978) 1125 UNTS 3. [электронный ресурс] – Режим доступа. –  https://opil.ouplaw.com/display/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690 (дата обращения 7.11.2025)