The term refers to both the transfer of a person or group of persons from the authority of the Detaining Power to another power, and to transfer of a person or group of persons from one physical location to another. Under IHL, the transfer of different categories of persons is subject to different rules. Prisoners of war may only be transferred to a transferee Power that is also party to the Third Geneva Convention, provided that the transferee Power is willing and able to respect the Convention. Similarly, protected civilians may only be transferred to a transferee Power that is also party to the Fourth Geneva Convention, provided that the transferee Power is willing and able to respect the Convention. Also under The Fourth Geneva Convention, an Occupying Power is prohibited from carrying out individual or mass forcible transfer of protected persons from the occupied territory to its own territory or to the territory of another country. There are good reasons for considering – and the jurisprudence of international criminal tribunals and the ICC Statute have recognized – that this prohibition applies equally to forcible transfers within an occupied territory. Furthermore, the Occupying Power shall not transfer part of its own civilian population into the occupied territory.

See Settlements; Detainees; Protected Persons; Prisoners of War; Deportation (Forced Movement); Non-refoulement;

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