France
Practice Relating to Rule 58. Improper Use of the White Flag of Truce
France’s Disciplinary Regulations (1975), as amended, provides that, under international conventions, it is prohibited “to use improperly the flag of parlementaires”.
France’s LOAC Manual (2001) states: “It is prohibited … to use improperly … the white flag.”
France’s Code of Military Justice (1982) punishes:
any individual, military or not, who, in time of war, in the area of operations of a force or unit, in violation of the laws and customs of war, uses improperly the distinctive signs and emblems defined by international conventions to ensure the respect for persons, objects and places protected by those conventions.
France’s Code of Military Justice (2006) states:
The offence by any person, military or not, who in times of war, in the area of operations of a force or unit, in violation of the laws and customs of war, improperly uses the distinctive signs and emblems defined by the international conventions to ensure the respect for persons, objects and places protected by these conventions, is punished with five years’ imprisonment.
France’s Code of Defence (2004), as amended in 2008, states: “[Combatants] are … prohibited to improperly use the flag of parlementaire”.