In recent years, the situation in the world has intensified. Every now and then, in new parts of the world, new local conflicts flare up, to which more and more countries are joining. In these difficult conditions, the term “policy of armed neutrality” sounds from time to time on television screens and on the pages of print media. However, not all people fully understand its significance, as well as the obligations undertaken by states that have declared this status.
Definition of the term
The word "neutrality" has Latin roots. Translated, it means "neither one nor the other." This term has become widespread in international law. It is used when they talk about the state’s refusal to participate in the war in troubled times and from joining one of the military blocs in peacetime. In other words, neutrality is when the state takes a loyal position with respect to the opinions of other countries that are parties to the conflict.
Types of Neutrality
The neutrality of states has several types and can be fixed in various ways. This term can be used in four meanings:
1. States such as Switzerland and Austria respect permanent neutrality. This status is enshrined in internal regulations and is recognized worldwide. States that declare themselves to be supporters of permanent neutrality cannot participate in wars, be members of military alliances and allow the construction of foreign military facilities on their territory.
2. Some countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America are positively neutral. They declare observance of international security, assistance in removing international tension, and renunciation of the arms race. Once every three years, a Conference is held during which countries reaffirm their status.
3. Sweden is one of the countries claiming traditional neutrality. Its main feature is that the state does not consolidate its status anywhere and adheres to a policy of neutrality on a voluntary basis. At the same time, it can at any time cease to comply with its obligations, since it has not declared its status anywhere.
4. Often, states sign international documents stating their obligations. Negotiated neutrality - this is the name of this species. An example would be the agreement reached by the Russian Federation and Canada in Ottawa in 1992. This is a treaty on agreement and cooperation between countries.
Many international authoritative legal scholars call permanent neutrality, which acts on all armed clashes, without exception, the highest form. A state that has embarked on this path assumes significant obligations not only in wartime, but also in peacetime. In addition to the inability to participate in conflicts, to be part of the blocs and to allow the construction of foreign military infrastructure facilities, it cannot use armed conflict as a method of solving acute geopolitical tasks.
War time restrictions
According to international law, if a state declares its neutrality during the war, it is obliged to abide by three rules:
1. Under no circumstances should military assistance be provided to conflicting countries.
2. Prevent the conflicting countries from using their territory for military purposes.
3. Introduce the same restrictions on the supply of weapons and military goods with respect to conflicting parties. This is necessary so as not to single out one of the parties involved and thereby not to support her.
The history of the concept
If we consider neutrality in a historical perspective, then for the inhabitants of the states that existed in the era of the Ancient World, it was a stranger. In the Middle Ages, this phenomenon began to acquire its modern significance. Medieval countries declared common religious and cultural views and tried to maintain neutrality, but in some cases they did not comply. We are talking primarily about wars in the open sea. It was only in the 16th century that states began to realize that neutrality was a status that should be respected.
Give examples
The first case in history when countries declared armed neutrality dates from the end of the 18th century. In world history, a noticeable mark was left by the union of major world powers, which committed themselves to defending the principles set forth in the Declaration of Catherine II, adopted in February 1780. It included the Russian Empire, France, Spain, the United States, Denmark, Sweden, Prussia, Austria, Portugal, Sicily. This union functioned while the war for the independence of the American colonies from England was going on. After the war ended in 1783, it actually broke up.
In 1800, the so-called second armed neutrality was concluded between the Russian Empire, Denmark, Sweden and Prussia. It was based on the principles of the Catherine Declaration with minor changes. However, after the death of Paul I and the accession to the throne of Alexander I, he ceased to exist.
