INTERNMENT

Abstract

This chapter focuses on internment, which is a form of captivity. In wartime, both belligerents and neutrals apply a regime of confinement without trial to certain classes of persons in order to remove them from actual or potential involvement in the conflict. The classes of interned persons differ sharply, since neutrals and belligerents impose measures of internment for reasons that are dictated by their different roles in the conflict. Internment by the neutral is primarily precautionary in nature and may be seen as a quarantine measure to preserve its neutrality from being compromised by belligerent troops active on its territory, whereas internment by a belligerent. However, need not only be precautionary and preventative, to protect itself from hostile acts, but may also be protective of enemy aliens who are possible targets of the mass hatred roused in war. The principal common feature of all internment systems is that internment normally involves compulsory accommodation in a place where internees are held under some form of guard and surveillance, but not in close confinement.