Présentation - Hague Convention IX 1907

i n t r o d u c t i o n

Convention (IX) concerning Bombardment by Naval Forces in Time of War. The Hague, 18 October 1907.

General title

Second Peace Conference of The Hague, 1907.

Forum of adoption

International Peace Conference 1907

Entry into force

26.01.1910

Before the adoption of the present Convention there was controversy as to whether or not undefended ports, towns and buildings might be bombarded by naval forces. There was a difference of opinion as to whether the rule applicable in land warfare prohibiting bombardment of undefended towns (Article 25 of the Hague Regulations of 1899 and 1907) was also applicable to bombardment by naval forces. The Institute of International Law, in 1896, declared that the law relating to bombardment was the same in land and sea warfare. This view, however, was not accepted by the Powers at the Second Hague Peace Conference. Although Article I of the present Convention confirms the principle that undefended ports and towns may not be bombarded, Article 2 allows bombardment by naval forces of military objectives in undefended towns. This new rule eventually became applicable in air warfare, too.

Meetings of forum

15.06.1907 - 18.10.1907, The Hague

Dade of adoption

18.10.1907

Depositary

Netherlands

Number of articles

Authentic text

French

Source

D.Schindler and J.Toman, The Laws of Armed Conflicts, Martinus Nihjoff Publisher, 1988, pp.812-815.

Keywords

NAVAL WARFARE; MEANS OF COMBAT; ARMED FORCES AT SEA; BOMBARDMENT; METHOD OF COMBAT; PROHIBITION; NON-DEFENDED LOCALITY; PROTECTED ZONE; PORT; PROTECTED OBJECT; INTERNATIONAL ARMED CONFLICT; PROTECTION; CIVILIAN; PROTECTION AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF HOSTILITIES