Australia
Practice Relating to Rule 105. Respect for Family Life
Australia’s Defence Force Manual (1994) provides: “An obligation is imposed on all parties to deal humanely with protected persons. The person, honour, family rights, religious convictions, manners and customs of protected persons shall be respected.”
Australia’s LOAC Manual (2006) states with regard to the general treatment of protected persons in both their own territory and occupied territory that “family rights … of protected persons shall be respected”.
The LOAC Manual (2006) replaces both the Defence Force Manual (1994) and the Commanders’ Guide (1994).
Australia’s LOAC Manual (2006) states, with regard to the rights of inhabitants of occupied territory:
The occupying power must … enable all persons in the occupied territory to exchange news of a personal nature with members of their families, whether the latter be in the occupied territory or elsewhere, and shall facilitate inquiries made by families which have been dispersed as a result of the conflict and shall encourage relief organisations seeking to assist in this task.
The LOAC Manual (2006) replaces both the Defence Force Manual (1994) and the Commanders’ Guide (1994).