SUB. COMMITTEE ON PROTECT RESTRICTED
DRAFT PRINCIPLES ON THE PROHIBITION OF
MILITARY ATTACKS ON REFUGEE CAMPS AND SETTLEMENTS
ANNEX IV
Camps and settlements accommodating refugees shall not be the object of military or armed attacks.
1..
2.
Military attacks on refugee camps and settlements are in grave violation of existing and fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. They can never be justified under any circumstances and must consequently always be condemned.
3. In their mutual international relations, States are obliged to respect the fundamental principles governing such relations contained in the Charter of the United Nations and in such instruments as the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations (Resolution 2625 (XXV)) and the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes (Resolution 37/10).
4.
Military attacks on refugee camps and settlements across international borders constitute a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of asylum countries. States must refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of other States, and must seek to settle their international disputes by, peaceful means.
5. States and other parties to armed conflicts of an international or internal character shall continue to respect the applicable rules and principles of international humanitarian law and, in particular, shall respect those rules and principles relating to the treatment of civilian populations.
6. The grant of asylum or refuge shall be regarded as a peaceful and humanitarian act, and as such shall not be regarded as unfriendly by another
state.
Refugee camps and settlements shall be used exclusively for civilian and humanitarian purposes.
7.
8. Military attacks on refugee camps or settlements should be expressly condemned by the international community and all possible action should be taken in the relevant bodies of the United Nations and other organisations to prevent such attacks or their recurrence.
9.
In accordance with the principle of international solidarity and in order to alleviate the burden on the country of refuge, States and competent international organisations shall provide, according to their means, all necessary assistance to relieve the plight of the victims of military attacks on refugee camps or settlements.
RESTRICTED