Civilian Internee: Navigating the Complexities of Noncombatant Detention

By Fouad Sabry

What is Civilian Internee

The term "civilian internee" refers to a civilian who is held by a party to a war for reasons related to security. Internees are typically required to live in internment camps against their will. The internment of Japanese Americans and German Americans in the United States during World War II are two examples of historical persecution that occurred during this time period. During World War II, Japan held for internment 130,000 civilians from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

How you will benefit

(I) Insights, and validations about the following topics:

Chapter 1: Civilian internee

Chapter 2: Internment

Chapter 3: List of Japanese-run internment camps during World War II

Chapter 4: Raid on Los Baños

Chapter 5: List of concentration and internment camps

Chapter 6: Stalag X-B

Chapter 7: Ilag

Chapter 8: Internment camps in France

Chapter 9: Batu Lintang camp

Chapter 10: Stanley Internment Camp

(II) Answering the public top questions about civilian internee.

Who this book is for

Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those who want to go beyond basic knowledge or information for any kind of Civilian Internee.

• Language: English
• Publisher: One Billion Knowledgeable
• Release date: Jun 20, 2024

Book preview

Chapter 1: Civilian internee

The term civilian internee refers to a civilian who is held by a party to a war for reasons related to security. Internees are typically required to live in internment camps against their will. The internment of Japanese Americans and German Americans in the United States during World War II are two examples of historical persecution that occurred during this time period. During World War II, Japan held 130,000 citizens from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands in Asia.

During World War II, Japan was able to seize a significant portion of Southeast Asia and the Pacific region between the months of December 1941 and April 1942. Through this action, Japan was able to obtain colonies in the United States of America, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Those lands were home to tens of thousands of citizens who were not involved in the conflict with Japan and who were not fighting for Japan. The majority of the civilians were held in interrogation by Japan in improvised camps that were dispersed over the region as well as in China and Japan. From the beginning of 1942 until the end of the war in 1945, a significant number of civilians were held in internment for a period of more than three years.

A significant amount of time prior to 1945, the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force had devised a system of automatic arrest categories. These categories included the top leadership of the Nazi Party, the ortsgruppenleiter (local group leader), the top Gestapo agents, and the leaders of the Hitler Youth, the Peasants' League, and the Labor Front. A total of over 18,000 civilians were taken into custody during the month of August 1945, with over 700 civilians being detained each day between the months of May and June 1945. Eighty-two thousand individuals who were suspected of being members of criminal organizations were being imprisoned in internment camps in September of 1945. These individuals were accessible for probable trial and sentence. (1) [1]

According to Harold Marcuse, by the time December 1945 rolled around, there were well over 100,000 Germans inside prisons. In the former Dachau concentration camp, the United States occupation authorities detained individuals who were considered to be subject to the automatic arrest category. These individuals included members of the Security Service (SS) as well as functionaries of the Nazi Party and its allied organizations. At the beginning of 1946, the first of these convicts was released from their confinement.

A total of eleven special camps were established by the Soviet Union within the Soviet Zone of Occupation. This included the transformation of the former Buchenwald concentration camp into Special Camp No. 2, as well as the transformation of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp into Special Camp No. 7. They were being managed by the NKVD.

In addition, the British established a number of camps, including the Neuengamme concentration camp, which was located close to Hamburg, which was renamed the No. 6 Civil Internment Camp, and the KZ Esterwegen, which was renamed the No. 9 Civil Internment Camp.

In most cases, interns, even civilians, are confined to a certain area that is surrounded by barbed wire walls and security towers.

A layout for an internment-resettlement facility for dislocated civilians

Civilian Internee in Military Science: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

In the realm of military science, the term civilian internee holds significant importance, especially during periods of armed conflict. A civilian internee is a person who is detained or interned by a party to the conflict for security reasons, typically due to their nationality, political beliefs, or perceived threat. This article delves into the concept of civilian internees, exploring their historical context, legal framework, treatment, and implications in modern military operations.

Historical Context

The practice of interning civilians during wartime has a long history. During World War II, for instance, the United States interned thousands of Japanese Americans due to fears of espionage and sabotage. Similarly, in Europe, civilians in occupied territories were often interned by both Axis and Allied powers. These historical precedents set the stage for the development of international laws and conventions aimed at protecting the rights of civilian internees.

Legal Framework

The treatment and rights of civilian internees are primarily governed by international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions. The Fourth Geneva Convention, adopted in 1949, provides specific protections for civilians in times of war, including those who are interned. Article 42 of the Fourth Geneva Convention stipulates that civilians may only be interned if the security of the Detaining Power makes it absolutely necessary.

Moreover, the convention outlines the conditions under which civilian internees must be treated, including adequate accommodation, food, medical care, and the right to communicate with family members. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) plays a crucial role in monitoring compliance with these provisions and advocating for the humane treatment of internees.

Reasons for Internment

The internment of civilians can occur for various reasons, often linked to security concerns. Some common reasons include:

1. Nationality: Civilians belonging to a nation that is at war with the detaining power may be interned to prevent espionage or sabotage.

2. Political Beliefs: Individuals with political views perceived as a threat to the detaining power's stability or control may be interned.

3. Security Threats: Civilians suspected of being involved in activities that could jeopardize the detaining power's security, such as collaborating with enemy forces or engaging in acts of terrorism.

Treatment of Civilian Internees

The treatment of civilian internees is a critical aspect of military operations, as it reflects a nation's commitment to upholding international humanitarian law. The Fourth Geneva Convention sets forth several key principles regarding the treatment of civilian internees:

1. Humane Treatment: Internees must be treated humanely and protected from violence, intimidation, and humiliation. Torture and other forms of inhumane treatment are strictly prohibited.

2. Living Conditions: Internees are entitled to adequate living conditions, including shelter, sanitation, food, and medical care. The detaining power must ensure that internees have access to necessary medical treatment and that their nutritional needs are met.

3. Family Contact: Internees have the right to communicate with their families and receive correspondence. The ICRC facilitates the exchange of Red Cross messages between internees and their families, helping to maintain family ties during internment.

4. Judicial Guarantees: Internees must be granted judicial guarantees, including the right to be informed of the reasons for their internment, the right to legal representation, and the right to challenge their detention before a competent tribunal.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite the legal framework established by the Geneva Conventions, the treatment of civilian internees often presents significant challenges and controversies. Some of these include:

1. Non-International Armed Conflicts: The distinction between international and non-international armed conflicts can complicate the application of the Geneva Conventions. In non-international conflicts, such as civil wars, the legal protections for civilian internees may be less clear, leading to inconsistent treatment.

2. Security vs. Humanitarian Concerns: Balancing security concerns with humanitarian obligations can be challenging. Detaining powers may justify internment on security grounds, but ensuring humane treatment and due process can sometimes be neglected, leading to abuses.

3. Arbitrary Detention: There is a risk of arbitrary detention, where civilians are interned without sufficient evidence of posing a security threat. This undermines the principles of justice and can lead to prolonged, unjust detention.

4. Post-Conflict Scenarios: In post-conflict situations, the reintegration of former internees into society can be challenging. Stigma, psychological trauma, and the loss of livelihoods during internment can hinder their ability to resume normal lives.

Modern Implications

In contemporary military operations, the issue of civilian internees remains relevant. The Global War on Terror, for example, has led to the internment of numerous individuals suspected of terrorist activities. Detention facilities such as Guantanamo Bay have sparked international debate over the treatment of detainees and the application of international humanitarian law.

The rise of non-state actors and asymmetric warfare further complicates the issue. Combatants often blend with civilian populations, making it difficult to distinguish between civilians and enemy fighters. This blurring of lines challenges traditional notions of internment and necessitates a nuanced approach to ensure that innocent civilians are not unjustly detained.

Role of International Organizations

International organizations play a pivotal role in overseeing the treatment of civilian internees and advocating for their rights. The ICRC, in particular, conducts regular visits to internment facilities, monitors compliance with international humanitarian law, and provides assistance to internees. The United Nations and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also contribute to monitoring and addressing issues related to civilian internment.

Conclusion

The concept of the civilian internee is deeply embedded in military science and international humanitarian law. While the legal framework established by the Geneva Conventions provides essential protections, the practical application of these principles often faces challenges and controversies. Balancing security concerns with the humane treatment of internees requires ongoing vigilance and commitment to upholding international standards.

As military operations continue to evolve in the 21st century, the treatment of civilian internees will remain a critical issue. Ensuring that the rights of internees are respected, even in the face of security threats, is essential for maintaining the integrity of international humanitarian law and the principles of justice and humanity.

{End Chapter 1}

Chapter 2: Internment

Internment is the detention of individuals, typically in large numbers and without charges.

Interned individuals may be detained in prisons or camps known as internment camps (also known as concentration camps). The origin of the word concentration camp dates back to the Spanish–Cuban Ten Years' War, during which Spanish soldiers confined Cuban citizens in camps in order to fight guerrillas more effectively. In the decades that followed, the British during the Second Boer War and the Americans during the Philippine–American