Geneva Convention & Medics Wartime Obligations

General Provisions

a) Persons 'Hors de Combat' are entitled to respect for their lives and their moral and physical integrity.

b) It is forbidden to kill or injure an enemy who surrenders

c) The wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for by the party to the conflict which has them in their power.

d) Captured combatants and civilians under the authority of an adverse party are entitled to respect for their lives, dignity, personal rights and convictions.

Rights of Medical Personnel

a) Medical personnel called upon to serve in the event of armed conflict shall be respected and protected. This means that they should be defended and given help and support.

b) They may not renounce the rights conferred on them by international humanitarian law. This categorical injunction is intended to prevent pressure being exerted on the medical personnel to make them renounce their rights

Duties of Medical Personnel

a) For medical personnel, the discharge of their duties is not only an obligation, it is also a right.

Identification

a) In the time of conflict all staff exclusively engaged in the administration of medical units and establishments are to be issued with a red cross armlet and a form F Ident 107 (Identity card for medical staff and chaplains of, or attached to the armed forces)

b) Members of the armed forces specially trained as hospital orderlies or stretcher bearers are to be issued with a small red cross armlet and an identification certificate form F Ident 106 (identity card for personnel specially trained and temporarily acting as medical orderlies)

c) The identity cards will be signed by the Senior Naval Officer, or in the case of RN Hospital or medical units, the MOIC or SMO. A register will be kept of all issue

d) Buildings used as hospitals or for the reception, holding or despatch of wounded personnel are to be marked with the distinctive emblem, be it a red cross, red crescent or red lion and sun.

e) Medical transportation means the conveyance by land, water or air of wounded, sick or ship wrecked persons, medical and religious personnel and medical material.

f) Medical units shall at all times be respected and protected.

g) Hospital ships shall be painted white with one or more red crosses displayed.

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