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Preliminary study: Finland should consider creating a national law of armed conflict manual

Finnish Government

Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Publication date 26.11.2025
Type:Press release

A preliminary study, commissioned by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, urges Finland to consider creating a national manual on the law of armed conflict. The study was supported by a group of experts from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Finnish defence administration and the Finnish Red Cross.

Countries such as Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States have prepared national manuals on the law of armed conflict (LOAC) in the 2000s. Finland does not yet have a national LOAC manual.

A preliminary study, commissioned by the Unit for International Law of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, examined how national LOAC manuals were prepared in the reference countries and estimated the extent of a possible manual project in Finland.

The study report by Irina Nieminen, M.Sc. (Admin.), is published in the publication series of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The report collates information about national LOAC manuals and how they were prepared for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and other actors of key importance to a possible manual project in Finland. The report also explains why Finland should consider creating a national LOAC manual.

Ambassador for International Legal Affairs Marja Lehto from the Foreign Ministry hopes that the preliminary study will stimulate discussion and serve as a useful instrument for decision-makers, experts and other interested parties.

What are national law of armed conflict manuals?

National manuals on the law of armed conflict collate the key rules of international humanitarian law applied in each state and how they should be interpreted.

Their purpose is to ensure compliance with the rules during armed conflict, to lower the risk of mistakes and misunderstandings, to protect civilians and to strengthen the international credibility of the state.

Law of armed conflict manuals can also be used as training material that promotes soldiers' professional skills and reflects the state's commitment to the principles of international law in warfare.