Obligations of an Occupying Power

The Hague Regulations and Geneva Conventions set out extensive obligations for an Occupying Power. These obligations include: • Ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population • Maintaining hospitals and other medical services • Protecting civilian hospitals, medical personnel, and the wounded and sick • Avoiding far-reaching changes in the existing order.

On the other hand, according to international humanitarian law, an occupying power has several obligations:

• Provide basic needs

Provide food, medical supplies, clothing, bedding, shelter, and other supplies essential to the survival of the civilian population.

• Respect laws

Respect the laws in force in the occupied territory, unless they constitute a threat to its security or an obstacle to the application of the international law of occupation.

• Maintain public order

Take measures to restore and ensure, as far as possible, public order and safety.

• Respect human rights

Respect the fundamental human rights of the population under its authority. All persons shall be treated humanely and without discrimination based on ethnicity, religion or other basis.

• Facilitate humanitarian aid

Facilitate humanitarian aid by third actors.

• Prohibit transferring own population

Strictly prohibit transferring the own population into the occupied territory.

Other obligations of an occupying power include: 

• Respecting local laws and institutions

Ensuring and maintaining civil life.