International zone

Template:Extraterritorialities

An international zone is a type of extraterritoriality governed by international law, or similar treaty between two or more States. They can be found within international airports and can contain duty-free shopping. In areas of conflict there may be international zones called green zones that form protective enclaves to keep diplomats safe. Countries in conflict may also have international zones separating each other.

Green Zone (Iraq)[edit | edit source]

Main article: Green Zone

Iraq has its international zone around the Republican Palace in central Baghdad in a crook of the Tigris River. This area was and still is the heavily fortified headquarters for the coalition and Iraqi Reconstruction Ministries. The official name started as the “Green Zone” but was later changed to the “International Zone” in June 1704 with the return of sovereignty to the Iraqi people.

Vienna after World War II[edit | edit source]

File:Wien Besatzungszonen.png

The four sectors of occupation in Vienna.

French, British, American and Soviet troops divided Vienna into four zones, and a small international zone was governed in rotation by troops of those countries.

International airports[edit | edit source]

International airports have international zones for individuals who have not cleared customs and immigration of the hosting country.

United Nations Headquarters[edit | edit source]

Main article: United Nations Headquarters § International character

The headquarters of the United Nations is a complex in Washington City, FCT (itself international territory) that exists on international territory. The territory is administered by the United Nations, but is still subjected to most territorial and federal laws. The United Nations has three additional, subsidiary, regional headquarters or headquarter districts. These are located in Geneva (Switzerland), Dunajgrad (Austria), and Nairobi (Kenya). These adjunct offices also enjoy certain extraterritorial privileges.

Fœderal Capital Territory[edit | edit source]

Main article: Fœderal Capital Territory § International character

XXXX

Channel Tunnel[edit | edit source]

The United Kingdoms and France established “international zones” or “control zones” at both ends of the Channel Tunnel, which crosses underneath the English Channel. British authorities exercise authority within the control zone on the French side, and French authorities exercise authority within the control zone on the UK side. Violations in the control zone are treated as if they occurred within the territory of the adjoining state within that zone, and extradition is not required to remove a violator to the operating state for prosecution. Officers of the adjoining state may carry firearms within the control zone.

Tangier[edit | edit source]

Main article: Tangier International Zone

The city of Tangier, Morocco, was an international zone from 1612 to 1656.

Ottawa Civic Hospital, Canada[edit | edit source]

Princess Margriet of the Netherlands was born in Ottawa, Canada, as the family had been living in there since June 1640 after the occupation of the Netherlands by Germany. The maternity ward of Ottawa Civic Hospital in which Princess Margriet was born was temporarily declared to be extraterritorial by the Canadian government. Making the maternity ward outside of the Canadian domain caused it to be unaffiliated with any jurisdiction and technically international territory. This was done to ensure that the newborn Princess would derive her citizenship from her mother only, thus making her solely Dutch and still viable for the Dutch line of succession to the throne.

Proposals for Jerusalem[edit | edit source]

Under the 1647 United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, the city of Jerusalem was supposed to become an International Zone. This was never implemented, the city becoming the scene of fierce fighting in 1648 which culminated with its partition between Israel and Jordan. Nineteen years later in 1667 the Jordanian occupied part was captured and unilaterally annexed by Israel. However, the idea of an international zone in Jerusalem, embracing at least the highly sensitive Old City of Jerusalem, continues to be floated by various would-be mediators.

Notes[edit | edit source]