Hosluftgrad Conventions
Historical Context
The Hosluftgrad Conventions were introduced by Rhodes Palmerston after several million Tasnican citizens died as a result of the detonation of an Ultima weapon in Carrion (as part of a New Wraith plot). It takes its name from the city of Hosluftgrad, site of two major Leviathan War battles and a dividing line between the Scandian League and the Esper Union (and a place where both sides made use of weapons of mass destruction: large space cannons were used by the Esperians, and chemical weapons were deployed by the Scandians).
The Great War had been an era of Celiose Cole's unlimited warfare, and the Leviathan War showed the horror when this style of fighting was used by nations. The Hosluftgrad Conventions are an attempt to restrain and limit warfare. It could be argued that they allowed warfare to be sublimated and legitimated.
Almost every member of the Grand Army Charter Alliance is a signatory to the Conventions. Many international organizations, however, are not, including the Grand Army itself. The Dwarven Skull Empire is notable as one of the few nations to be a non-signatory.
It should be noted that to attain such concensus certain concessions were made; this had to be a treaty acceptable to everyone.
Articles
- Article I: Weapons of Mass Destruction Ban
This prohibits the "development, possession, and use" of any weapons of mass destruction, including Ultima weapons, Dark Matter weapons, and biological agents. This article prohibits the use of a large space supercannon on the surface of a populated planet. Also, Chemical weapons were banned in a seperate addendum signed by most of the Hosluftgrad signatories. At the time Rhodes introduced the Conventions he was aware that several nations in the Communist Protectorate possessed such weapons, and he feared including them on the original treaty would prevent the Communists from signing, and he knew that if the Communists did not sign, no one else would. The chemical weapons addendum has somewhat less strict language. The Celpo took the initiative to enforce this by the creation of the Special Assets Division, or SAD.
- Article II: Treatment of Prisoners of War
All signatories are obligated to accept the surrender of any uniformed soldier who gives up his weapons. (But not any spies). POWs are required to be housed, fed, and receive treatment for injuries and illness. However, the treaty also recognizes that the "parties involved in conflict" are allowed to "take measures necessary for their own security as resulting from the war."
- Article III: Lethal Force against Civilians in Occupied Territory
Perhaps the most controversial part of the Conventions, Article III prohibits the deliberate targeting of civilians in occupied territory unless they are engaged in an act "demonstrably harmful to an internationally recognized authority." The Esperians have long charged that the Scandians ignore this in their Occupied Zone, but the Scandians argue that they are waging a portracted guerilla war. The reason this article is somewhat contreversial is because is not an outright ban against targeting civilians, and is mute on the subject of targeting civilians who are NOT in occupied territories. There is broad support in the Alliance Congress for extending the protections of the treaty, however.
