Related Rule
Russian Federation
Practice Relating to Rule 96. Hostage-Taking
The Russian Federation’s Military Manual (1990) prohibits “the taking of hostages” as a method of warfare.
Russian Federation, Instructions on the Application of the Rules of International Humanitarian Law by the Armed Forces of the USSR, Appendix to Order of the USSR Defence Minister No. 75, 1990, § 5(m).
The Russian Federation’s Regulations on the Application of IHL (2001) states:
Under any circumstances international humanitarian law ensures humane treatment during an armed conflict, of persons not directly involved in combat operations … In particular, the following shall be prohibited with regard to such persons: … taking of hostages … [and] threats to commit any of the above acts.
Russian Federation, Regulations on the Application of International Humanitarian Law by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 8 August 2001, § 4.
The Regulations further states: “The prohibited methods of warfare include … taking of hostages.”
Russian Federation, Regulations on the Application of International Humanitarian Law by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 8 August 2001, § 7.
With regard to the behaviour of forces in occupied territory, the Regulations provides: “It is prohibited … in the occupied territory … to take hostages.”
Russian Federation, Regulations on the Application of International Humanitarian Law by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 8 August 2001, § 75.
With regard to internal armed conflict, the Regulations further provides:
The following acts against [all persons who do not take a direct part or who have ceased to take part in hostilities] are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever: … taking of hostages [and] threats to commit any of the foregoing acts.
Russian Federation, Regulations on the Application of International Humanitarian Law by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 8 August 2001, § 81.
The Russian Federation’s Criminal Code (1996) punishes “the capture or detention of a person as a hostage committed with a view to compel a State, an organization or a person to accomplish or to abstain from a certain action as a condition for release of the hostage”.
Russian Federation, Criminal Code, 1996, Article 206.
