enemy combatant (k[schwa]m-bat-[schwa]nt). A combatant captured and detained while serving in a hostile force during open warfare. • In general, the separation-of-powers doctrine prevents a U.S. civilian court from interfering with the military’s handling of enemy combatants, at least as long as the hostilities continue. An enemy combatant may be detained without charge and does not have the right to legal representation. United States citizenship does not prevent a person from being designated an enemy combatant.
combatant
combatant (k[schwa]m-bat-[schwa]nt orkom-b[schwa]-t[schwa]nt).Int’l law. A person who participates directly in hostilities. • “Legitimate” combatants are members of the armed forces or uniformed members of a militia or volunteer corps, under military command and subject to the laws of war. Cf. NON-COMBATANT.
