Okkupation

Okkupation is the act and period in which a state or armed group gains de facto control over territory belonging to another, usually after war or coercive action. The occupying power administers the territory and its population but does not typically acquire sovereign rights; sovereignty remains with the former state or its government, making occupation generally temporary or provisional. The spelling with two k's appears in certain languages such as German (Okkupation) and Turkish-influenced usages; in English the standard term is occupation.

Under international law, occupation is distinguished from annexation and is described as a temporary administration by the occupying power. The occupying authority has duties to protect civilians, maintain public order, and ensure essential services, while respecting existing laws and institutions. The Hague Regulations of 1907 and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 outline protections for civilians, prohibit forcible transfer of populations into the occupied territory, and require humane treatment and access to aid. Occupation ends when sovereignty is restored or a new legal arrangement replaces the occupant.

Governance during occupation varies; administrations may be military, civilian, or a hybrid. The occupation may affect policing, taxation, infrastructure, education, and law, but changes are constrained by international law and reciprocal obligations to protect civilians and preserve cultural property. The precise status of the occupied territory and the legality of measures taken by the occupant are often contested in practice.

Historical examples include occupation during major conflicts and periods of military occupation in which foreign powers exercised administrative control without formal annexation. Contemporary debates focus on the legitimacy and consequences of occupation, self-determination, humanitarian impacts, and the legality of settlement or demographic policies. The concept remains central in international relations and law as a lens to analyze power, sovereignty, and civilian rights during conflict.