Canada
Practice Relating to Rule 10. Civilian Objects’ Loss of Protection from Attack
Section B. Situations of doubt as to the character of an object
Canada’s LOAC Manual (1999) states:
In the case of doubt as to whether an object which is normally dedicated to civilian purposes (such as a place of worship, a house or other dwelling, or a school) is being used to make an effective contribution to military action, it shall be presumed not to be so used.
Canada’s LOAC Manual (2001) states in its chapter on targeting:
In the case of doubt as to whether an object which is normally dedicated to civilian purposes (such as a place of worship, a house or other dwelling, or a school) is being used to make an effective contribution to military action, it shall be presumed not to be so used.
Canada’s Use of Force Manual (2008), in a section entitled “Principles and rules governing the use of force that directly relates to the conduct of armed conflict”, states:
Doubt rule. A person or object must not be attacked unless there is a reasonable belief that the person or object to be attacked is a military objective. In cases of doubt, a person is presumed to be a civilian, and the use of an object normally dedicated to civilian purposes is presumed to be of a nature other than that constituting an effective contribution to military action, unless and until the contrary is established.