(SOFAs / SOMAs)
MAJ Dan Tran
LTO

SOFAs, Agreements, MOUs
SOFA
Cont. Nation(s)

• To enable effective international work of diplomats, International Organisations, military forces and civilians working in another state, without undue interference from domestic law
• But - there should be accountability in some jurisdiction or process

• UN Charter
• Bi-lateral / Multi-national Treaties
• MOUs and agreements
• domestic laws and policies

Immunity –
International Instruments and
Conventions
Article 105 of the United Nations Charter provides that UN pers shall enjoy “such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the independent exercise if its functions…”
Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the
United Nations (CPIUN) 17 Sep 1946
S 18 (a) provides that UN shall be “immune from legal process in respect of words spoken or written and all acts performed by them in their official capacity”.

Experts on Mission
Juridical personality
Property Assets
Premises
CivPol and UNMOs
May be waived

• UN officials, property and assets
• Enjoy jurisdictional immunity
• BUT immunity is not absolute in some of its commercial activities (eg.
Contracts)

• jurisdictional immunity may be waived by the sending country
• The host nation may at any time and for any reason declare a particular member of the diplomatic staff to be persona non grata .
Sending state must recall this person within a reasonable period of time, or he/she loses diplomatic immunity

• In most cases extraterritorial military jurisdiction may be applied:
Eg. Uniform Code of Military Justice (US)
Defence Force Discipline Act (Aus)

• Facilitated by agreement with host nation
• Exercise of jurisdiction is not blanket and may be quite limited
• Eg. Host nation exercises exclusive jurisdiction over
TCN forces WRT offences committed domestically and punishable by domestic law
• TCN asserts jurisdiction over its forces WRT offences committed domestically and but not punishable by domestic law

• In agreement with host nation
• Exercise of jurisdiction may be waived
• Cooperation in arrest/custody/ investigation
• notifications

• SOFAs: Status of Forces Agreements
• SOMAs: Status of Mission Agreements

• Where a military force enters another state (other than during armed conflict) it is subject to the other state’s law
• SOFA can vary effect of Host Nation domestic law

• Standing SOFA
– Treaty negotiated between two countries, normally when AS forces will be based in a country for an extended period of time
– Amendment/renewal requires involvement of DFAT &
A-Gs
– Public document
• Operational SOFA
– non-legally binding arrangement
– time-limited to the duration of the operation
– May be classified
– Not a public document

Most important – SOFAs est. legal status of PO force with govt. of host nation. generally, host nations have the right to exercise jurisdiction over any matter occurs in its territories
4 types of immunities:
Criminal
Civil
Administrative
Legal Process

?
Criminal - Restricts any criminal proceeding
Civil - Restricts any cause of action of a personal nature i.e. For injuries, or redress
Administrative - Restricts actions concerning the exercise of certain procedures or authoritative powers. (i.e. Jurisdiction Reviews etc.
Legal process - Restricts proceedings commenced in a court of law
.

Most cases, contributing troops are subject to the domestic laws of the host nations.
Criminal issues vary, but the typical provision is that TCN has jurisdiction over crimes committed either by a service member against another service member or by a service member as part of his or her military duty, but the host nation retains jurisdiction over other crimes
If no immunity exists, troops are subjected to domestic laws.

Arrest
Custody
Investigations
Notifications
Consultation

• Now applied by UNSC resolution until any other agreement entered into
• Contains standard provisions on immunities and privileges

Facilitation of International
Assistance Act (S.I.)
17. (1) Members of the visiting contingent, the assisting country, and any other country whose personnel are members of the visiting contingent, shall have immunity from legal proceedings in Solomon Islands courts and tribunals in relation to actions of the visiting contingent or its members that are taken in the course of, or are incidental to, official duties

• Rights of entry and exit
– Immigration
– Customs
• Freedom of movement within the host nation
• Weapons carriage within host nation territory
• Criminal jurisdiction
– Death penalty
• Licences, eg. medical, driver’s
• Liability for damage caused by force members, including third party claims
• Death of a member of the force

TRAINING
Essential component is to let operators know what law is applicable and their rights.
Guidelines to Commanders and soldiers of the applicable laws, Immunities, and authorities of different “players” in the peacekeeping operation.
Development in IHR law, accountability and enforcement has measures and guidelines on reporting, investigation and prosecution of IHR crimes.

• Examples: sexual exploitation, trafficking in women
• Other scandals: murder, fraud, injury and damage

Somalia
Bosnia
Sierra Leone
Congo
Liberia