Partisan facts for kids
A partisan is a fighter who is not part of a country's official army. They often fight against an enemy that has taken over their land, or against a government they don't agree with. The word "partisan" comes from Italian, meaning someone who is part of a political group or party.
What is a Partisan?
Partisans are like brave, unofficial soldiers. They usually work in small groups, often behind enemy lines. Their goal is to disrupt the enemy's plans, gather information, or free their homeland. They are different from regular soldiers because they don't wear official uniforms or belong to a recognized army.
Partisans and International Law
When people fight in wars, there are special rules called international law. These rules help make sure wars are fought fairly and humanely. For partisans, it's a bit tricky because they are not part of a regular army. If a partisan is captured, they might not be treated as a prisoner of war (POW) unless they meet certain conditions.
Rules for Partisans
For a captured partisan to be considered a prisoner of war, they generally need to follow these rules:
- There must be a leader in charge of their group. This leader takes responsibility for their actions.
- They must have a clear sign or mark that shows they are fighters. This sign should be easy to see from a distance.
- They must carry their weapons openly. This means they don't hide their weapons when they are fighting.
- They must follow the rules of war. This includes treating captured enemies fairly and not harming civilians.
In 1977, some new rules were added to international law. These rules made it a bit easier for partisans to be seen as official fighters. They said that partisans only need to carry their weapons openly sometimes, not all the time, to be considered armed combatants. This helped protect more people who were fighting for their freedom.
