Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of
Practice Relating to Rule 6. Civilians’ Loss of Protection from Attack
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s Military Manual (1988) states: “It is permitted to directly attack only members of the armed forces and other persons – only if they directly participate in military operations.”
The manual further states that a civilian is considered a member of the armed forces when carrying arms or “otherwise taking part in resistance to an attacker”.
The Report on the Practice of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia considers that:
This phrase is not substantiated with examples, but it is obvious that the authors had in mind various forms of participation of civilians in military operations and its preparations. No doubt experiences of the resistance movement during World War II were taken into account.
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s Military Manual (1988) states: “The presence among the civilian population of persons who are not civilians does not deprive that population of its civilian character.”
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s Military Manual (1988) states: “In case of doubt a person shall be considered as a civilian until proven otherwise.”