Croatia
Practice Relating to Rule 36. Demilitarized Zones
Croatia’s LOAC Compendium (1991) states that the following are not allowed in a demilitarized zone: a) the presence of combatants; b) the presence of mobile weapons; c) the presence of mobile military equipment; d) any act of hostility; and e) any activity related to the conduct of military operations.
Croatia’s Commanders’ Manual (1992) imposes a duty to issue appropriate instructions when military activities are conducted near demilitarized zones, in order to ensure the protection of such zones.
Under Croatia’s Criminal Code (1993), “indiscriminate attacks affecting … demilitarized zones” are war crimes.
Croatia’s Criminal Code (1997), as amended to 2006, states that a war crime is committed by “whoever violates the rules of international law in time of war, armed conflict or occupation by ordering [or committing] an attack against … demilitarized zones”.