Switzerland
Practice Relating to Rule 46. Orders or Threats That No Quarter Will Be Given
Switzerland’s Basic Military Manual (1987) provides: “It is prohibited to declare that no quarter will be given.”
Switzerland’s Military Criminal Code (1927), taking into account amendments entered into force up to 2011, states in a chapter entitled “War crimes”:
Art. 110
Articles 112–114 apply in the context of international armed conflicts, including in situations of occupation, and, if the nature of the offence does not exclude it, in the context of non-international armed conflicts.
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Art. 112c
1 The penalty shall be a custodial sentence of not less than three years for any person who, in the context of an armed conflict:
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f. orders, by virtue of their power of command, that no quarter be given or threatens the enemy therewith.
Switzerland’s Penal Code (1937), taking into account amendments entered into force up to 2011, states under the title “War crimes”:
Art. 264b
Articles 264d–264j apply in the context of international armed conflicts, including in situations of occupation, and, if the nature of the offence does not exclude it, in the context of non-international armed conflicts.
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Art. 264g
1 The penalty shall be a custodial sentence of not less than three years for any person who, in the context of an armed conflict:
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f. orders, by virtue of their power of command, that no quarter be given or threatens the enemy therewith.