Safe Conduct and Safe Passage

Abstract

The notion ‘safe conduct’ describes a written permission and protection given by a belligerent in an international armed conflict for a person to travel unhindered by the local population or local authorities to a given place for a certain purpose. Safe passage is a grant of protection against harm or the use of force by the forces of a belligerent and given to persons or property of another belligerent to ensure unmolested travel through a military zone or occupied area. Safe passage is granted through delivery of a special passport issued by an authority on behalf of a belligerent. The term ‘safeguard’ is a grant of protection against the use of force by a belligerent in favour of the people or property of another belligerent party to a conflict. The terms ‘safe conduct’, ‘safe passage’ and ‘safeguard’, often are used interchangeably.