Sweden
Practice Relating to Rule 7. The Principle of Distinction between Civilian Objects and Military Objectives
Sweden’s IHL Manual (1991) provides: “The parties shall always distinguish between … civilian property and military objectives.”
The manual considers that the principle of distinction as stated in Article 48 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I is part of customary international law.
Sweden’s IHL Manual (1991) provides: “Military operations may only be directed towards military objectives.”
Sweden’s IHL Manual (1991) provides: “Civilian objects and civilian property may not constitute objectives for attack or be subjected to reprisals.”
In its written statement submitted to the ICJ in the
Nuclear Weapons case in 1995, Sweden stated: “Under the principle of distinction, an attack on a civilian population or civilian property is prohibited.”