Introduction

Subject(s):

Armed conflict — Occupation — Sovereignty

This chapter introduces the international law of occupation as a branch of international humanitarian law that regulates the actions of states—and possibly other actors such as international organizations—which gain effective control over hostile territory during an armed conflict. The chapter provides a very brief explanation of the law of occupation and its underlying tensions, such as the relations between occupation and sovereignty, the limited powers of the occupant, and its obligations toward the local population. It then moves to introduce the book's premises, scope of inquiry, and structure.