Civilian

a civilian is someone, which does not belong to army or an other war organization during a war. It does not carry a uniform contrary to the Kombattanten (soldier ).

This distinction is important in times of war, since according to international law of war special rules apply to the protection of civilians (see Geneva agreements).

In order to draw this sharp separation between civilians and Kombattanten, it is forbidden to civilians participating in fighting. If a civilian does this nevertheless, then he is called partisan and can be condemned as war criminals. Stands for it nevertheless - just like other Nichtkombattanten- the right to self-defense too.

In times of peace one speaks of the civilian population as „the civil population “, who does not have a technical training relevant in the discussed connection. „Civilian clothes “mean here as much as „specializedstrange “. Thus one speaks for example also of „the clergyman with civilian profession “for a clergyman in addition to the regular duties.

In addition, in connection with university-formed units one speaks colloquially of the not university-formed of civilians, for example with employments of the fire-brigade.