International Law
Neutrality
Concept of Neutrality
- States who do not support either party during war
- Maintain friendly relations with both the belligerents
- Keep themselves aloof from war
- The attitude of impartiality by a State adopted during war
- Keeping away from all blocks and pacts
- Duties of neutral states are:
1. Abstention: abstain from rendering direct or indirect help to belligerents
2. Prevention: prevent preparation of war in favour of either belligerent within
their territory
3. Acquiescence: acquiesce in certain matters
4. Restoration: restore any violations occurring to their status of neutrality
5. Reparation: compensate for any contraventions to the status of neutrality
- Rights of neutral states are:
1. No war-like act may be committed in their territory
2. Their cable lines in sea must not be damaged
3. Belligerents may not use their territory for war preparations
4. Entitled to make certain rules to protect their territory and make belligerents
observe those rules
5. If their neutrality is violated, they may be compensated for the same
End of Neutrality
- At the end of war;
- When the neutral State starts war with one of the belligerent State; or
- When any belligerent State starts war with the neutral State.
Types of Neutrality
I. Perpetual or Permanent Neutrality: State neutralized through an International treaty
II. General and Partial Neutrality: when a part of State is neutral (partial) or the whole
state is neutral (general)
III. Voluntary Neutrality: declared by a State voluntarily
IV. Armed Neutrality: State uses arms to defend its neutrality
V. Benevolent Neutrality: while remaining neutral, a State favours a belligerent state
VI. Perfect and Qualified Neutrality: perfectly neutral and if according to some treaty
before neutrality helps a belligerent (qualified neutrality)
Muhammad Minhaj Mahdi
International Law
Neutral State
- A stance taken at the discretion of the State itself
- Neutrality by will of the State
- Keeping away from war as a personal choice of State
- Neutrality is a temporary status and may be changed upon the discretion of the neutral
State
Neutralized State
- A State made to keep neutral during a war through some treaty
- A neutralized state would not resort to war except in self-defense
- The State will not enter into a treaty which may affect its impartiality and may compel it
to resort to war
- Objective of neutralization is to maintain balance of power and protect smaller States
- Neutralized States have following duties:
1. Not resorting to war except for self-defense
2. Not entering any military pact or agreement
3. Taking a position of neutrality during any war
- Neutralization is a permanent status, ensured by a treaty
- Switzerland was a classic example of a neutralized State until it joined UN in 2001
Muhammad Minhaj Mahdi