Purpose and scope
This document provides a public summary of HLN Rules of Engagement (ROE). It clarifies the legal and ethical framework governing use of force by HLN personnel while protecting sensitive operational detail.
Section I — Core Principles
Foundational framework for all force decisions.
Defensive Posture
HLN forces shall not initiate expansionist war, conduct punitive raids or employ force for territorial acquisition. Defensive necessity authorises protection against a verified threat, not punishment for an earlier act. Neither stabilisation nor partner support is a freestanding legal authority: every use of force requires a lawful basis and must satisfy necessity, proportionality and distinction.
Necessity and Proportionality
All force must meet two thresholds. Necessity: a credible threat exists and no reasonable non-force alternative remains. Proportionality: response must not exceed threat magnitude; force scaled to neutralize, not punish.
Distinction
Personnel must distinguish between: combatants, non-combatants, civilian infrastructure, and dual-use infrastructure. Deliberate targeting of civilians is prohibited.
Section II — Authorized Use of Force
Graduated response model and authorization conditions.
Graduated Response Model
Level 0 — Observation: monitoring, identification, communication attempts. Level 1 — Warning: directed hails, visual deterrence posture, warning shots where safe. Level 2 — Disablement: targeted system disruption, shield overload, engine incapacitation. Level 3 — Defensive Engagement: active weapons engagement against confirmed hostile actors, civilian evacuation protocols activated. Level 4 — Sustained Defensive Operations: multi-unit defensive coordination, infrastructure shielding, stabilization measures. Operational specifics are classified.
Self-Defense
Personnel retain inherent right of self-defense when: under direct attack, facing imminent lethal threat, or protecting civilians from immediate harm. Self-defense actions must still comply with proportionality standards.
Defense of Infrastructure
HLN may use force to protect: trade corridors, medical facilities, water and atmospheric systems, UCI administrative nodes, and civilian habitation centers. Force must be calibrated to preserve surrounding civilian assets.
Section III — Restricted Actions
Prohibited conduct during operations.
Prohibitions
The following are prohibited: indiscriminate weapons use in populated zones; targeting medical or evacuation vessels; collective punishment; retaliatory strikes absent active threat; torture or coercive interrogation. Violations constitute grounds for tribunal review under HLN civil protections standards.
Section IV — Command Authority
Authorization levels and adaptation rules.
Authorization
Engagement authority depends on threat level: Patrol Commanders may authorize Levels 0–2; Sector Command may authorize Level 3; Strategic Command Review required for Level 4 sustained operations. All Level 3+ engagements require incident documentation within 24 standard hours.
Rules Adaptation
Operational instructions may be adapted to an emergency or changed threat only within existing lawful powers. Changes must be recorded, time-limited and reviewed by Strategic Command; they cannot suspend civil protections or authorise prohibited conduct. Personnel shall refuse manifestly unlawful orders, report the matter through a responsible channel and preserve the record. Where the issuing chain is implicated, refer the matter to independent oversight. No person may determine a complaint or appeal against their own conduct.
Section V — Civilian Protection Measures
Evacuation priority and post-incident accountability.
Evacuation Priority
Near civilian populations, establish protected passage, communicate accessible evacuation information and provide medical support and confirmed reception. Seek informed consent; compulsory movement requires a specific lawful basis, immediate protective necessity and independent review. Do not describe an unverified route as safe. An existential threat does not suspend distinction or civilian protections. Cancel or suspend an action where the target is uncertain or expected civilian harm would be excessive in relation to the concrete defensive advantage anticipated.
Post-Incident Accountability
Each weapons discharge event triggers: incident log entry, After Action Report (AAR), civilian harm assessment, review by compliance authority. Summarized findings may be released publicly.
Section VI — Detention During Engagement
Treatment of captured hostile actors.
Captured Personnel Standards
Captured hostile actors: must be disarmed, must receive medical screening, must be processed under Due Process Act standards, may not be indefinitely detained. Rights protections codified under HLN civil framework.