United States of America
Practice Relating to Rule 65. Perfidy
Section E. Simulation of an intention to negotiate under the white flag of truce
The US Field Manual (1956) states: “It is … an abuse of a flag of truce to carry out operations under the protection accorded by the enemy to it and those accompanying it.”
The US Air Force Pamphlet (1976) states:
The white flag has traditionally indicated a desire to communicate with the enemy … It raises expectations that the particular struggle is at an end or close to an end since the only proper use of the flag of truce or white flag in international law is to communicate to the enemy a desire to negotiate. Thus, the use of a flag of truce or white flag in order to deceive or mislead the enemy, or for any other purpose other than to negotiate … has long been recognized as an act of treachery … [This] expresses the customary and conventional law in this area.
The Pamphlet also states: “In addition to the grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the following acts are representative of situations involving individual criminal responsibility: … treacherous request for … truce.”
The US Naval Handbook (1995) provides that it is unlawful to use the flag of truce to gain a military advantage over the enemy. It adds: “Misuse of protective signs, signals and symbols … in order to injure, kill, or capture the enemy constitutes an act of perfidy.”
The US Manual for Military Commissions (2007), Part IV, Crimes and Elements, includes in the list of crimes triable by military commissions:
IMPROPERLY USING A FLAG OF TRUCE.
a. Text. “Any person subject to this chapter who uses a flag of truce to feign an intention to negotiate, surrender, or otherwise suspend hostilities when there is no such intention shall be punished as a military commission under this chapter may direct.”
b. Elements.
(1) The accused used a flag of truce;
(2) The accused made such use of the flag in order to feign an intention to negotiate, surrender, or otherwise suspend hostilities;
(3) The accused had no intention to negotiate, surrender, or otherwise suspend hostilities; and
(4) The conduct took place in the context of and was associated with armed conflict.
c.
Maximum punishment. Confinement for 20 years.
The US Naval Handbook (2007) states that “use of the white flag to gain a military advantage over the enemy is unlawful”.
The US Manual for Military Commissions (2010), Part IV, Crimes and Elements, includes in the list of crimes triable by military commissions:
IMPROPERLY USING A FLAG OF TRUCE.
a. Text. “Any person subject to this chapter who uses a flag of truce to feign an intention to negotiate, surrender, or otherwise suspend hostilities when there is no such intention shall be punished as a military commission under this chapter may direct.”
b. Elements.
(1) The accused used a flag of truce;
(2) The accused made such use of the flag in order to feign an intention to negotiate, surrender, or other wise suspend hostilities;
(3) The accused had no intention to negotiate, surrender, or otherwise suspend hostilities; and
(4) The conduct took place in the context of and was associated with hostilities.
c. Maximum punishment. Confinement for 20 years.
The manual also states: “One may commit an act of treachery or perfidy by, for example, feigning an intent to negotiate under a flag of truce or a surrender”.
The US Military Commissions Act (2006), passed by Congress following the Supreme Court’s decision in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld in 2006, amends Title 10 of the United States Code as follows:
“§ 950v. Crimes triable by military commissions
“ …
“(b) OFFENSES.—The following offenses shall be triable by military commission under this chapter at any time without limitation:
“ …
“(18) IMPROPERLY USING A FLAG OF TRUCE.—Any person subject to this chapter who uses a flag of truce to feign an intention to negotiate, surrender, or otherwise suspend hostilities when there is no such intention shall be punished as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
The US Military Commissions Act (2009) amends Chapter 47A of Title 10 of the United States Code as follows:
“§ 950t. Crimes triable by military commission
“The following offenses shall be triable by military commission under this chapter at any time without limitation:
“ …
“(18) IMPROPERLY USING A FLAG OF TRUCE.—Any person subject to this chapter who uses a flag of truce to feign an intention to negotiate, … or otherwise suspend hostilities when there is no such intention shall be punished as a military commission under this chapter may direct.
In 1992, in its final report to Congress on the conduct of the Gulf War, the US Department of Defense stated: “Perfidious acts include the feigning of an intent … to negotiate under a flag of truce.”