Source: https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v2_cha_chapter7_rule25_sectiona
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 16:46:47+00:00

Document:
Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field, Geneva, 22 August 1864, Article 2.
The personnel charged exclusively with the removal, transportation, and treatment of the sick and wounded, as well as with the administration of sanitary formations and establishments … shall be respected and protected under all circumstances. If they fall into the hands of the enemy they shall not be considered as prisoners of war.
Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armies in the Field, Geneva, 6 July 1906, Article 9.
The personnel of volunteer aid societies, duly recognized and authorized by their own governments, who are employed in the sanitary formations and establishments of armies, are assimilated to the personnel contemplated in the preceding article, upon condition that the said personnel shall be subject to military laws and regulations. Each state shall make known to the other, either in time of peace or at the opening, or during the progress of hostilities, and in any case before actual employment, the names of the societies which it has authorized to render assistance, under its responsibility, in the official sanitary service of its armies.
Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armies in the Field, Geneva, 6 July 1906, Article 10.
The personnel engaged exclusively in the collection, transport and treatment of the wounded and sick, and in the administration of medical formations and establishments, … shall be respected and protected under all circumstances. If they fall into the hands of the enemy they shall not be treated as prisoners of war. Soldiers specially trained to be employed, in case of necessity, as auxiliary nurses or stretcher-bearers for the collection, transport and treatment of the wounded and sick, and furnished with a proof of identity, shall enjoy the same treatment as the permanent medical personnel if they are taken prisoners while carrying out these functions.
Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armies in the Field, Geneva, 27 July 1929, Article 9.
The personnel of Voluntary Aid Societies, duly recognized and authorized by their Government, who may be employed on the same duties as those of the personnel mentioned in the first paragraph of Article 9, are placed on the same footing as the personnel contemplated in that paragraph, provided that the personnel of such societies are subject to military law and regulations. Each High Contracting Party shall notify to the other, either in time of peace or at the commencement of or during the course of hostilities, but in every case before actually employing them, the names of the societies which it has authorized, under its responsibility, to render assistance to the regular medical service of its armed forces.
Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armies in the Field, Geneva, 27 July 1929, Article 10.
Medical personnel exclusively engaged in the search for, or the collection, transport or treatment of the wounded or sick, or in the prevention of disease, staff exclusively engaged in the administration of medical units and establishments … shall be respected and protected in all circumstances.
Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field, Geneva, 12 August 1949, Article 24.
Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field, Geneva, 12 August 1949, Article 25.
Each High Contracting Party shall notify to the other, either in time of peace or at the commencement of or during the course of hostilities, but in any case before actually employing them, the names of the societies which it has authorized, under its responsibility, to render assistance to the regular medical service of its armed forces.
Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field, Geneva, 12 August 1949, Article 26.
Article 36 of the 1949 Geneva Convention II provides that “medical and hospital personnel of hospital ships and their crews shall be respected and protected”.
Convention (II) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea, Geneva, 12 August 1949, Article 36.
Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, Geneva, 12 August 1949, Article 20.
Article 8(c) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I defines medical personnel as “those persons assigned, by a Party to the conflict, exclusively to … medical purposes … or to the administration of medical units or to the operation or administration of medical transports”. It adds that “[s]uch assignments may be either permanent or temporary”. The definition covers both military and civilian medical personnel. Article 8(c)(ii) requires that personnel of aid societies be duly recognized and authorized by a party to the conflict.
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I), Geneva, 8 June 1977, Article 8(c). Article 8 was adopted by consensus. CDDH, Official Records, Vol. VI, CDDH/SR.37, 24 May 1977, p. 68.
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I), Geneva, 8 June 1977, Article 15(1). Article 15 was adopted by consensus. CDDH, Official Records, Vol. VI, CDDH/SR.37, 24 May 1977, p. 70.
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II), Geneva, 8 June 1977, Article 9(1). Article 9 was adopted by consensus. CDDH, Official Records, Vol. VII, CDDH/SR.51, 3 June 1977, p. 112.
(ii) the civil defence medical personnel referred to in Article 30 and the medical personnel of the National Red Cross (Red Crescent, Red Lion and Sun) Societies referred to in Article 35.
CDDH, Official Records, Vol. I, Part Three, Draft Additional Protocols, June 1973, p. 37.
(iii) medical personnel of other aid societies recognized and authorized by a Party to the conflict and located within the territory of the High Contracting Party in whose territory an armed conflict is taking place.
CDDH, Official Records, Vol. XIII, CDDH/406/Rev.1, 17 March-10 June 1977, pp. 241 and 242.
Eventually, however, Article 11(f) of the draft Additional Protocol II was deleted by consensus in the plenary.
Persons employed in hospitals and ambulances – including the staff for superintendence, medical service, administration and transport of wounded, as well as … the members and agents of relief associations which are duly authorized to assist the regular sanitary staff – are considered as neutral while so employed, and so long as there remain any wounded to bring in or to succour.
The Laws of War on Land, adopted by the Institute of International Law, Oxford, 9 September 1880, Article 13.
Observance by United Nations Forces of International Humanitarian Law, Secretary-General’s Bulletin, UN Secretariat, UN Doc. ST/SGB/1999/13, 6 August 1999, Section 9.4.
Argentina’s Law of War Manual (1969) restates Articles 24–26 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I.
Argentina, Leyes de Guerra, RC-46-1, Público, II Edición 1969, Ejército Argentino, Edición original aprobado por el Comandante en Jefe del Ejército, 9 May 1967, §§ 3.008–3.010.
Argentina’s Law of War Manual (1989) defines medical personnel with reference to Articles 24–25 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I and Article 8 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
Argentina, Leyes de Guerra, PC-08-01, Público, Edición 1989, Estado Mayor Conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas, aprobado por Resolución No. 489/89 del Ministerio de Defensa, 23 April 1990, § 2.10.
Argentina, Leyes de Guerra, PC-08-01, Público, Edición 1989, Estado Mayor Conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas, aprobado por Resolución No. 489/89 del Ministerio de Defensa, 23 April 1990, § 2.11.
With respect to non-international armed conflicts in particular, the manual states that medical personnel “shall be respected, protected and assisted in the performance of their duties in favour of all wounded and sick without any discrimination”.
Australia, Law of Armed Conflict, Commanders’ Guide, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 Supplement 1 – Interim Edition, 7 March 1994, §§ 614–615.
Australia, Manual on Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 – Interim Edition, 1994, § 963.
c.any persons made available for humanitarian purposes by a neutral state, a recognised and authorised aid society of such a state, or an impartial international humanitarian organisation.
Australia, Manual on Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Force Publication, Operations Series, ADFP 37 – Interim Edition, 1994, § 521.
Australia’s LOAC Manual (2006) states that protected persons include “military and civilian medical personnel”.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 9.55; see also 9.68.
• any persons made available for humanitarian purposes by a neutral state, a recognised and authorised aid society of such a state, or an impartial international humanitarian organisation.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 9.71.
Identity cards are to be issued to … medical … personnel regardless of whether they are of permanent or temporary status. Under no circumstances are they to be deprived of this identification. Should circumstances prevent the issue of an identity card, a certificate may be issued temporarily until such time as a proper card can be issued.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 9.9.
In its chapter on “Weapons”, the manual states that “non-combatants and those who have not been or are no longer in the fight (sick and wounded, shipwrecked, medical personnel, chaplains and most civilians) must not be targeted”.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 4.30.
It is permitted to attack those who are not protected persons under the conventions while they are attempting to rescue aircrew who have crashed. However, rescuers such as medical personnel attempting to rescue injured airmen are protected. In such cases, the airman and his rescuers are protected in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, § 8.55.
- small arms and ammunition taken from the wounded and sick are found within a medical unit.
9.69 Military medical personnel, facilities and equipment are also entitled to general protection. However, they may lose this protection if they engage in acts harmful to the enemy. Before the protection of medical personnel and facilities is lost, a warning will normally be provided and reasonable time allowed to permit cessation of improper activities. In extreme cases, overriding military necessity may preclude such a warning. Protection will not be lost if medical members act in self-defence. Weapons may be carried.
Australia, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 06.4, Australian Defence Headquarters, 11 May 2006, §§ 9.11 and 9.69; see also § 5.23.
Belgium’s Law of War Manual (1983) defines medical personnel with reference to Articles 24–25 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I and Article 8 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I. The manual states that permanent medical personnel “shall be respected and protected at all times: they may not be made the object of attack but may not participate in hostilities either”. According to the manual, temporary medical personnel “enjoy the same protection only when they perform medical functions”.
Belgium, Droit Pénal et Disciplinaire Militaire et Droit de la Guerre, Deuxième Partie, Droit de la Guerre, Ecole Royale Militaire, par J. Maes, Chargé de cours, Avocat-général près la Cour Militaire, D/1983/1187/029, 1983, pp. 47–48.
The protection accorded to the wounded would be illusory if the civilian and military medical services which are specifically set up to treat them could be attacked. Hence, medical services, identified by the Red Cross (or Red Crescent in certain countries), are not considered combatants or military objectives even if they wear the enemy uniform or bear its insignia. Enemy medical personnel … may not be attacked.
Benin’s Military Manual (1995) lists military and civilian medical personnel as specially protected persons.
Benin, Le Droit de la Guerre, III fascicules, Forces Armées du Bénin, Ministère de la Défense nationale, 1995, Fascicule III, p. 5; see also Fascicule II, p. 8.
The manual further states that military medical personnel must be respected.
Benin, Le Droit de la Guerre, III fascicules, Forces Armées du Bénin, Ministère de la Défense nationale, 1995, Fascicule II, p. 16.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Instructions on the Implementation of the International Law of War in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Official Gazette of ABiH, No. 2/92, 5 December 1992, Item 15, § 3.
Burkina Faso’s Disciplinary Regulations (1994) provides that, under the laws and customs of war, soldiers in combat must respect medical personnel.
Burundi, Règlement n° 98 sur le droit international humanitaire, Ministère de la Défense Nationale et des Anciens Combattants, Projet “Moralisation” (BDI/B-05), August 2007, Part I, p. 15; see also Part I, p. 11 and Part I bis, pp. 4, 9, 31, 34, 57 and 80.
Burundi, Règlement n° 98 sur le droit international humanitaire, Ministère de la Défense Nationale et des Anciens Combattants, Projet “Moralisation” (BDI/B-05), August 2007, Part I bis, p. 34.
Burundi, Règlement n° 98 sur le droit international humanitaire, Ministère de la Défense Nationale et des Anciens Combattants, Projet “Moralisation” (BDI/B-05), August 2007, Part I bis, p. 57.
The protection granted to the wounded would be illusionary if the civilian and military medical services, which are specifically designated to care for them, could be attacked.
The medical services … are therefore not considered as combatants or military objectives even if they wear the same uniform or insignia as the adversary.
Medical personnel … of the adversary may not be attacked.
They may not even be distracted from their activities if, at the moment of capture, they are busy with assisting the wounded.
The Regulations, referring to the “red cross on white ground”, further states that “[p]ersons and material that bear this sign are protected …[, namely] military or civilian personnel … [and] personnel attached permanently or temporarily to medical units or means of transport”.
Burundi, Règlement n° 98 sur le droit international humanitaire, Ministère de la Défense Nationale et des Anciens Combattants, Projet “Moralisation” (BDI/B-05), August 2007, Part I bis, p. 7.
Burundi, Règlement n° 98 sur le droit international humanitaire, Ministère de la Défense Nationale et des Anciens Combattants, Projet “Moralisation” (BDI/B-05), August 2007, Part I bis, p. 25; see also Part I bis, pp. 11 and 57.
Cameroon’s Disciplinary Regulations (1975) provides that, under the laws and customs of war, each soldier must respect medical personnel, “provided they wear the distinctive emblem and carry the special identity card defined by the Geneva Conventions”.
Cameroon’s Instructor’s Manual (1992) considers both military and civilian medical personnel as specially protected persons.
Cameroon, Droit international humanitaire et droit de la guerre, Manuel de l’instructeur en vigueur dans les Forces Armées, Présidence de la République, Ministère de la Défense, Etat-major des Armées, Troisième Division, Edition 1992, p. 18, §§ 220–221.
Certain categories of persons and objects benefit from special protection under the law of armed conflict and international humanitarian law, both in the civilian domain and in the military domain.
… Medical personnel are those assigned to medical units generally integrated in hospital zones and localities which are protected and can equally comprise safety zones and localities.
- being at the service of one of the parties to the conflict.
Cameroon, Droit des conflits armés et droit international humanitaire, Manuel de l’instructeur en vigueur dans les forces de défense, Ministère de la Défense, Présidence de la République, Etat-major des Armées, 2006, pp. 92–93, §§ 352.2–352.21; see also pp. 134–135, §§ 412.2–412.21.
Medical and religious personnel must fulfil their tasks under the special protection of the belligerents; amongst other things, they must provide assistance in the various combat zones and when circumstances require.
Medical personnel must be respected and protected in order to be able to act in favour of the wounded. Since they exercise their medical activities in the interest of the wounded, they must be able to do so without any doubt or constraint.
Cameroon, Droit des conflits armés et droit international humanitaire, Manuel de l’instructeur en vigueur dans les forces de défense, Ministère de la Défense, Présidence de la République, Etat-major des Armées, 2006, p. 229, § 541.
Medical personnel of captured units and medical transports must be free to pursue their tasks in situations when the capturing force is not yet able to provide for the care for the wounded and sick in these units or transports.
The evacuation of enemy medical military personnel is to be carried out via a medical channel and only when those personnel are no longer needed by the wounded and shipwrecked. They may be called upon to carry out medical tasks during the evacuation.
These personnel are not prisoners of war, but they benefit from all provisions of the Third Geneva Convention [1949 Geneva Convention III] regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.
But the temporary medical military personnel, being deployed to their missions, will be prisoners of war.
Cameroon, Droit des conflits armés et droit international humanitaire, Manuel de l’instructeur en vigueur dans les forces de défense, Ministère de la Défense, Présidence de la République, Etat-major des Armées, 2006 . p. 122, § 403.
the medical and religious personnel, apart from their distinctive emblem, must carry the special identity card defined by the Geneva Conventions.
These rules apply to the extent possible to operations undertaken by airplanes and navy ships against targets on land or at sea.
“Medical personnel” are those persons, military or civilian, assigned exclusively to medical purposes or to the administration of medical units, or the operation or administration of medical transports. Such assignment may be permanent or temporary. In addition to doctors, dentists, nurses, medical orderlies, and hospital administrators, “medical personnel” includes personnel of national Red Cross and other voluntary aid societies recognized and authorized by a party to the conflict. The term also includes medical personnel attached to civil defence units, any persons made available for humanitarian purposes by a neutral state, a recognized and authorized aid society of such a state, or an impartial international humanitarian organization.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Level, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 1999, p. 9-3, § 27.
The manual states: “Medical … personnel, both military and civilian, have protected status and thus shall not be attacked.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Level, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 1999, p. 4-5, § 41.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Level, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 1999, p. 4-6, § 53.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Level, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 1999, p. 17-4, § 34.
There are two categories of medical personnel: permanent and temporary. Permanent medical personnel include doctors, nurses and medical assistants who are engaged exclusively in the collection, transport or treatment of the sick or wounded, or in the prevention of disease; staff exclusively engaged in the administration of medical units and establishments; and chaplains attached to the armed forces. These people shall be respected and protected. They must not be attacked. … If captured, permanent medical personnel and chaplains, although detained, will continue to care for their sick and wounded. If there is no such medical requirement, they are to be released and returned to their own forces. Temporary medical personnel may be employed on a part-time basis as hospital orderlies or temporary stretcher bearers in the search for and collection, transport and treatment of the sick and wounded. Part-time medical personnel are protected when they are carrying out those duties and shall not be the object of attack … Captured temporary medical personnel who are detained may be employed on medical duties. Unlike permanent medical personnel, temporary medical personnel do not have to be released to their side even if there is no medical requirement for their services.
Under the Law of Armed Conflict, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has a special role and status. The ICRC may undertake to care for the wounded and sick. The ICRC is an independent humanitarian institution. As a neutral intermediary in the event of armed conflict it endeavours, on its own initiative or on the basis of the Geneva Conventions, to bring protection and assistance to the victims of armed conflict. Members of the ICRC wear the distinctive emblem. As such, they must be protected at all times.
NGOs such as CARE and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) might wear other recognizable symbols. The symbols used by CARE, MSF and other NGOs do not benefit from international legal protection, although their work in favour of the victims of armed conflict must be respected. Upon recognition that they are providing care to the sick and wounded, NGOs are also to be respected.
Canada, Code of Conduct for CF Personnel, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 4 June 2001, Rule 10, §§ 2–3, 7 and 9.
1. Personnel of the armed forces permanently assigned to medical activities, to the administration of medical units and to medical transport (“medical duties”) are non-combatants. They may not be attacked. If captured, permanent medical personnel will be returned to their own armed forces unless they are retained by the detaining power to assist PWs [prisoners of war].
2. Personnel of the armed forces temporarily assigned to medical duties during a limited period of time, such as stretcher-bearers, are non-combatants when engaged in such duties. They may not be attacked while engaged in medical duties. If captured, temporary medical personnel become PWs.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 311.
Medical and religious personnel, both military and civilian, have protected status and thus shall not be attacked. These persons wear the Red Cross or Red Crescent … and carry identity cards which identify them as protected persons.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 432.
Humanitarian aid societies, such as the Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies, who on their own initiative, collect and care for the wounded, sick and shipwrecked, even in invaded or occupied areas, shall not be made the object of attack.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 438.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 914.1.
3. Protection and respect must be extended to persons regularly and solely engaged in the operation and administration of civilian hospitals. Included in this category are persons engaged in the search for, removal, transport and care of wounded and sick civilians. In occupied territory and in zones of military operations such personnel must carry an identity card certifying their status, bearing the photograph of the holder and stamped by the responsible authority. The belligerents must also issue to them special armlets (bearing the Red Cross or equivalent emblem), to be worn while they are carrying out their duties.
4. Other persons, engaged in the operation and administration of civilian hospitals, are entitled to protection, and to wear the armlet while employed on their duties. Their identity cards must state what those duties are. The management of each hospital must hold at the disposal of the competent national or occupying authorities an up-to-date list of the personnel employed in the hospital.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 1111.3–4.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, § 1719.2.
c. medical activities for the prevention of disease.
Canada, The Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 13 August 2001, Glossary, p. GL-11.
2. There are two categories of medical personnel: permanent and temporary. Permanent medical personnel include doctors, nurses and medical assistants who are engaged exclusively in the collection, transport or treatment of the sick or wounded, or in the prevention of disease; staff exclusively engaged in the administration of medical units and establishments; and chaplains attached to the armed forces. These people shall be respected and protected. They must not be attacked … If captured permanent medical personnel and chaplains although detained, will continue to care for their sick and wounded. If there is no such medical requirement, they are to be released and returned to their own forces.
3. Temporary medical personnel may be employed on a part-time basis as hospital orderlies or temporary stretcher bearers in the search for and collection, transport and treatment of the sick and wounded. Part-time medical personnel are protected when they are carrying out those duties and shall not be the object of attack … Captured temporary medical personnel who are detained may be employed on medical duties. Unlike permanent medical personnel, temporary medical personnel do not have to be released to their side even if there is no medical requirement for their services.
7. Under the Law of Armed Conflict, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has a special role and status. The ICRC may undertake to care for the wounded and sick. The ICRC is an independent humanitarian institution. As a neutral intermediary in the event of armed conflict it endeavours, on its own initiative or on the basis of the Geneva Conventions, to bring protection and assistance to the victims of armed conflict. Members of the ICRC wear the distinctive emblem. As such, they must be protected at all times.
9. NGOs such as CARE and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) might wear other recognizable symbols. The symbols used by CARE, MSF and other NGOs do not benefit from international legal protection, although their work in favour of the victims of armed conflict must be respected. Upon recognition that they are providing care to the sick and wounded, NGOs are also to be respected.
Canada, Code of Conduct for CF Personnel, Office of the Judge Advocate General, 2005, Rule 10, §§ 2–3, 7 and 9.
Central African Republic, Le Droit de la Guerre, Fascicule No. 1: Formation élémentaire toutes armés (FETA), formation commune de base (FCB), certificat d’aptitude technique No. 1 (Chef d’équipe), Ministère de la Défense, Forces Armées Centrafricaines, 1999, Chapter II, Section II, § 1; see also Le Droit de la Guerre, Fascicule No. 2: Formation pour l’obtention du certificat technique No. 2 (Chef de Groupe), du certificat Inter-Armé (CIA), du certificat d’aptitude de Chef de Patrouille (CACP), Ministère de la Défense, Forces Armées Centrafricaines, 1999, Chapter I, Fundamental Rules, § 3.
Specially protected personnel [military and civilian medical services, as identified in Volume 1 of this manual] are authorized to carry out their tasks unless the tactical situation does not allow it. The mission and actual activities of such personnel may be checked.
Central African Republic, Le Droit de la Guerre, Fascicule No. 2: Formation pour l’obtention du certificat technique No. 2 (Chef de Groupe), du certificat Inter-Armé (CIA), du certificat d’aptitude de Chef de Patrouille (CACP), Ministère de la Défense, Forces Armées Centrafricaines, 1999, Chapter II, Section II, § 2.1.
Central African Republic, Le Droit de la Guerre, Fascicule No. 2: Formation pour l’obtention du certificat technique No. 2 (Chef de Groupe), du certificat Inter-Armé (CIA), du certificat d’aptitude de Chef de Patrouille (CACP), Ministère de la Défense, Forces Armées Centrafricaines, 1999, Chapter IV, Section IV.
The Central African Republic’s Disciplinary Regulations (2009) states: “In accordance with the international conventions signed or approved by the Central African Government, it is stipulated that during combat servicemen must: … respect … medical personnel”.
Chad’s Instructor’s Manual (2006) states that medical personnel are protected: “[They] may not take part in hostilities and may not be attacked” but “may lose their protection if they take part in the fighting”.
Chad, Droit international humanitaire, Manuel de l’instructeur en vigueur dans les forces armées et de sécurité, Ministère de la Défense, Présidence de la République, Etat-major des Armées, 2006, p. 16; see also pp. 34, 36 and 88.
The manual further states that attacking medical personnel is a war crime.
Colombia’s Circular on Fundamental Rules of IHL (1992) states that the protection due to the wounded and sick “also covers, as such, medical personnel”.
Colombia’s Basic Military Manual (1995) states that it is prohibited “to attack … medical and aid personnel”.
Colombia, Derecho Internacional Humanitario – Manual Básico para las Personerías y las Fuerzas Armadas de Colombia, Ministerio de Defensa Nacional, 1995, p. 29, § 2.a.
Congo’s Disciplinary Regulations (1986) provides that medical personnel must be respected.
15. Respect medical personnel, material and establishments.
Côte d’Ivoire, Droit de la guerre, Manuel d’instruction, Livre I: Instruction de base, Ministère de la Défense, Forces Armées Nationales, November 2007, pp. 14–15, 17, 19, 21 and 26.
The law gives civilian medical and religious personnel the same status as military medical and religious personnel. Both must be respected and protected. It is appropriate to do everything to allow them to carry out their activities.
Combatants, temporarily used as nursing auxiliaries, from the legal point of view remain combatants. In fact, it can, for example, be urgently necessary to have stretcher-bearers to take the wounded from the frontline. They are therefore clearly combatants entrusted with a temporary mission, and not medical personnel in the sense described above. Nevertheless, they must be respected and protected while they fulfil their medical functions. If they are captured, they are prisoners of war.
Côte d’Ivoire, Droit de la guerre, Manuel d’instruction, Livre III, Tome 2: Instruction de l’élève officier d’active de 2ème année, Manuel de l’instructeur, Ministère de la Défense, Forces Armées Nationales, November 2007, pp. 26–27; see also Droit de la guerre, Manuel d’instruction, Livre IV: Instruction du chef de section et du commandant de compagnie, Manuel de l’élève, Ministère de la Défense, Forces Armées Nationales, November 2007, p. 33.
Croatia’s Commanders’ Manual (1992) states: “Specifically protected persons may not participate directly in hostilities and may not be attacked. They shall be allowed to perform their tasks, when the tactical situation permits.” Such persons include military and civilian medical personnel.
Croatia, Basic Rules of the Law of Armed Conflicts – Commanders’ Manual, Republic of Croatia, Ministry of Defence, 1992, §§ 7 and 12.
Croatia’s Soldiers’ Manual (1992) instructs soldiers to respect medical personnel.
The Dominican Republic’s Military Manual (1980) instructs soldiers not to attack medical personnel, but to protect them.
Dominican Republic, La Conducta en Combate según las Leyes de la Guerra, Escuela Superior de las FF. AA. “General de Brigada Pablo Duarte”, Secretaría de Estado de las Fuerzas Armadas, May 1980, p. 4.
Ecuador’s Naval Manual (1989) states that “medical personnel, including medical and dental officers, technicians and corpsmen, nurses, and medical service personnel, have special protected status when engaged exclusively in medical duties and may not be attacked”.
Ecuador, Aspectos Importantes del Derecho Internacional Marítimo que Deben Tener Presente los Comandantes de los Buques, Academia de Guerra Naval, 1989, § 11.5.
The manual qualifies “deliberate attack upon … medical personnel” as a war crime.
Ecuador, Aspectos Importantes del Derecho Internacional Marítimo que Deben Tener Presente los Comandantes de los Buques, Academia de Guerra Naval, 1989, § 6.2.5.
Doctors, nurses and other medical … personnel who serve in hospitals or work for the Red Cross … shall be specially protected because they relieve, aid and comfort all victims without distinction between friend and foe.
El Salvador, Manual del Combatiente, undated, p. 12.
France’s Disciplinary Regulations (1975), as amended, provides that soldiers in combat must respect and protect medical personnel.
France, Fiche de Synthèse sur les Règles Applicables dans les Conflits Armés, Note No. 432/DEF/EMA/OL.2/NP, Général de Corps d’Armée Voinot (pour l’Amiral Lanxade, Chef d’Etat-major des Armées), 1992, §§ 2.2 and 2.3.
France, Manuel de droit des conflits armés, Ministère de la Défense, Direction des Affaires Juridiques, Sous-Direction du droit international humanitaire et du droit européen, Bureau du droit des conflits armés, 2001, pp. 95–96.
Under the heading “Red Cross and Red Crescent (rules of protection)”, the manual also provides: “The protection is linked to the medical purposes of the actions undertaken and finds its expression in the limitation of detention, [and] in the granting of facilities when that personnel carries out its activity”.
Germany’s Military Manual (1992) defines military medical personnel with reference to the relevant provisions of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
Germany, Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflicts – Manual, DSK VV207320067, edited by The Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, VR II 3, August 1992, English translation of ZDv 15/2, Humanitäres Völkerrecht in bewaffneten Konflikten – Handbuch, August 1992, § 625.
Germany, Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflicts – Manual, DSK VV207320067, edited by The Federal Ministry of Defence of the Federal Republic of Germany, VR II 3, August 1992, English translation of ZDv 15/2, Humanitäres Völkerrecht in bewaffneten Konflikten – Handbuch, August 1992, § 624.
The manual considers offences such as “wilful killing, mutilation, torture or inhumane treatment, including biological experiments, wilfully causing great suffering, serious injury to body or health” committed against medical personnel, to be grave breaches of IHL.
Germany, Druckschrift Einsatz Nr. 03, Humanitäres Völkerrecht in bewaffneten Konflikten - Grundsätze, Erarbeitet nach ZDv 15/2, Humanitäres Völkerrecht in bewaffneten Konflikten - Handbuch, DSK SF009320187, Bundesministerium der Verteidigung, R II 3, August 2006, p. 5.
The Hellenic Territorial Army’s Internal Service Code (1984), as amended, provides that members of the armed forces should respect the personnel of hospitals and places where wounded and sick are gathered.
Greece, Hellenic Territorial Army Regulation of Internal Service Code, Presidential Decree 130/1984 (Military Regulation 20-1), as amended, Article 14(d).
Guinea, Soldier’s Manual, Ministry of National Defence, 2010, p. 12.
Guinea’s Disciplinary Regulations (2012) states: “In accordance with the international agreements signed by the government of Guinea, military personnel in combat are required … to respect … medical personnel”.
Hungary’s Military Manual (1992) instructs soldiers to respect and protect permanent medical personnel.
Hungary, A Hadijog, Jegyzet a Katonai, Föiskolák Hallgatói Részére, Magyar Honvédség Szolnoki Repülötiszti Föiskola, 1992, p. 19.
Indonesia’s Field Manual (1979) restates the rules on medical personnel found in Articles 24–26 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I.
Indonesia, Field Manual concerning the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Department of Defence, 1979, §§ 6–8.
Indonesia, The Basics of International Humanitarian Law in Air Warfare, Indonesian Air Force, 1990, § 24(a).
Ireland’s Basic LOAC Guide (2005) states: “Prohibited targets include … medical personnel”.
If medical … personnel fall into “enemy” hands, they shall be allowed to continue their duties towards the wounded and sick.
Ireland, Basic Guide to the Law of Armed Conflict, TP/TRG/01-2005, Director of Defence Forces Training, Department of Defence, July 2005, pp. 6–7.
It is prohibited to interfere with the administration of medical aid … In fact, this prohibition also covers the attack on medical personnel, paramedics and doctors in the battlefield itself. According to the Geneva Convention, medical teams are not part of the armed conflict. They are marked with distinctive identification signs, they do not carry arms, they do not cause injury and it is forbidden to harm them. It is prohibited to shoot a paramedic in the battlefield or to take him prisoner. The medical team is also restricted in that it does not take part in the hostilities, does not carry any weapons and is committed to administering medical aid also to the enemy’s wounded. In actuality, this provision is not observed in the wars and confrontations waged in the Middle East, at least not in regard to medical teams in the field. They are not immune to harm, they are not identified by special identification symbols, they bear arms and take part in the fighting. This situation also exists in many other armies around the world, including the American army.
Israel, Laws of War in the Battlefield, Manual, Military Advocate General Headquarters, Military School, 1998, pp. 32–33.
It is absolutely forbidden to attack the medical facilities of the enemy including military medical facilities and it is forbidden to attack the enemy’s wounded. This ban also applies to attacks on medical personnel, paramedics and doctors in the battlefield. According to the Geneva Convention medical teams are not part of the fighting force, they are marked with recognised insignia and do not carry arms. They do not attack and it is forbidden to attack them. It is forbidden to open fire on a medic on the battlefield and he/she must not be taken into captivity, providing the medical team is not participating directly in the war and does not carry arms. … In wars and confrontations in the Middle East, the medical teams have not worn special insignia; they participate in the fighting, consequently they are not protected from being attacked.
Israel, Rules of Warfare on the Battlefield, Military Advocate-General’s Corps Command, IDF School of Military Law, Second Edition, 2006, p. 24.
Italy’s LOAC Elementary Rules Manual (1991) states: “Specifically protected persons may not participate directly in hostilities and may not be attacked.” Such persons include military and civilian medical personnel.
Italy, Regole elementari di diritto di guerra, SMD-G-012, Stato Maggiore della Difesa, I Reparto, Ufficio Addestramento e Regolamenti, Rome, 1991, §§ 7 and 12.
Medical personnel are those exclusively assigned to medical units and engaged in the search for, or the collection, transport or treatment of the wounded and sick, or in the prevention of disease. They are to be respected, protected and not attacked. Military medical personnel who are captured during an international armed conflict are not prisoners of war. They may be “retained” for the sole purpose of providing medical care for POWs [prisoners of war] of their own forces … Military medical personnel who may have medical duties to perform on a temporary basis, e.g. stretcher bearers, may not be attacked while performing medical duties. On capture, they become POWs but are to be employed on medical duties if the need arises.
Kenya, Law of Armed Conflict, Military Basic Course (ORS), 4 Précis, The School of Military Police, 1997, Précis No. 3, p. 9.
Lebanon’s Teaching Manual (1997) provides for respect for medical personnel, without distinguishing between military and civilian personnel.
Lebanon, Manuel de l’Instruction Nationale dans l’Armée Libanaise, 1997, p. 77.
Madagascar’s Military Manual (1994) defines medical personnel as “those exclusively assigned to medical units and medical transports” whether military or civilian. Their tasks consist in “the search for, collection, transportation, diagnosis or treatment of the wounded, sick, and shipwrecked, or the prevention of disease”.
Madagascar, Le Droit des Conflits Armés, Ministère des Forces Armées, August 1994, Fiche No. 3-SO, §§ B and C.
The manual states: “Specifically protected persons may not participate directly in hostilities and may not be attacked. They shall be allowed to perform their tasks, when the tactical situation permits.” Such persons include military and civilian medical personnel.
Madagascar, Le Droit des Conflits Armés, Ministère des Forces Armées, August 1994, Fiche No. 2-O, § 7 and Fiche No. 3-O, § 12.
Mali’s Army Regulations (1979) provides that, according to the laws and customs of war, soldiers in combat must respect medical personnel.
Mexico, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario para el Ejército y la Fuerza Área Mexicanos, Ministry of National Defence, June 2009, § 74.
Mexico, Cartilla de Derecho Internacional Humanitario, Ministry of National Defence, 2009, § 14(i); see also § 14(f).
Morocco’s Disciplinary Regulations (1974) provides that, according to the laws and customs of war, soldiers in combat must respect medical personnel.
Morocco, Règlement de Discipline Général dans les Forces Armées Royales, Dahir No. 1-74-383 du 15 rejeb 1394, 5 August 1974, Article 25(1).
The Military Manual (1993) of the Netherlands defines medical personnel with reference to Article 25 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I and Article 8 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
Netherlands, Toepassing Humanitair Oorlogsrecht, Voorschift No. 27-412/1, Koninklijke Landmacht, Ministerie van Defensie, 1993, pp. XI-5 and XI-6.
Medical personnel engaged temporarily or permanently in the care of the wounded and the sick must be able to fulfil their humanitarian tasks under all circumstances. Persons in charge of the administration and operation of medical units and material (for example administrative personnel, cooks and drivers) belong to the medical personnel. This personnel may not be attacked.
In its chapter on combatants, the manual states: “The term ‘non-combatant’ is used for anyone who is not a combatant. This includes all civilians … It also includes medical personnel”.
Netherlands, Humanitair Oorlogsrecht: Handleiding, Voorschift No. 27-412, Koninklijke Landmacht, Militair Juridische Dienst, 2005, § 0305.
[Medical and religious personnel] may be held by the adversary only as long as the state of health, spiritual needs and numbers of prisoners of war require. During the time of detention of medical personnel by the adversary, they must at least enjoy the benefits of the Prisoner of War Convention [1949 Geneva Convention III]. They must be returned if the medical or religious activities are not necessary and military circumstances make a return possible. The exception is that medical auxiliaries are treated as prisoners of war.
Netherlands, Humanitair Oorlogsrecht: Handleiding, Voorschift No. 27-412, Koninklijke Landmacht, Militair Juridische Dienst, 2005, § 0618.
Netherlands, Humanitair Oorlogsrecht: Handleiding, Voorschift No. 27-412, Koninklijke Landmacht, Militair Juridische Dienst, 2005, § 0704.
Medical and religious personnel must be respected, protected and helped in fulfilling their duties. They may not be forced to carry out tasks incompatible with their humanitarian mission.
Nicaragua’s Military Manual (1996) states, with respect to international armed conflicts, that assistance to the wounded, sick and shipwrecked includes a requirement of “protection of permanent [medical] personnel assigned to the search, collection, transportation or treatment of the wounded and sick, the prevention of disease or the administration of [medical] units and establishments”, as well as “respect for and protection of temporary [medical] personnel” and “respect for and protection of regular personnel of civilian hospitals”.
Nicaragua, Military Manual (1996), Article 14(4), (6) and (37).
Nigeria, Operational Code of Conduct for Nigerian Armed Forces, Federal Military Government of Nigeria, July 1967, § 4(d).
Medical personnel engaged exclusively in the search and collection of the wounded and sick and the prevention of disease, the staff engaged in the administration of hospitals and medical units … are also entitled to protection.
Nigeria, The Laws of War, by Lt. Col. L. Ode PSC, Nigerian Army, Lagos, undated, § 33.
Nigeria, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Directorate of Legal Services, Nigerian Army, 1994, p. 45, § (f).
Nigeria, Code of Conduct for Combatants, “The Soldier’s Rules”, Nigerian Army, undated, § 7.
[A]ll medical personnel performing their duties in armed conflicts must be respected and protected. This means that they must not be attacked and must be defended, assisted and supported when necessary. This right applies in all circumstances, and the obligation that it entails is binding on everyone, particularly combatants, regardless of which side they belong to.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial Nº 1394-2004-DE/CCFFAA/CDIH-FFAA, Lima, 1 December 2004, § 92.a; see also § 100.
b. The protection to which medical personnel are entitled is not an individual privilege granted to them, but rather a natural corollary to the requirement to respect and protect the victims of armed conflict.
c. Medical personnel must refrain from any act of hostility. They are protected because they must remain neutral towards the armed conflict in which they are performing their duties. If they cease to be neutral, they lose this protection.
“Neutrality”, in respect of medical personnel, is the obligation to refrain from any hostile act or, in general, any involvement in military operations. If they meet this requirement, they are granted special protection.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial Nº 1394-2004-DE/CCFFAA/CDIH-FFAA, Lima, 1 December 2004, § 83.b and c.
(1) When permanent military medical personnel fall into the hands of the enemy, they do not become prisoners of war, although they can be retained to provide assistance to wounded and sick members of their own armed forces who have been captured.
(2) Captured military medical personnel can only be retained for as long as there are medical duties for them to perform. When this is not the case, they must be repatriated.
(3) Civilian medical personnel who fall into the hands of the enemy cannot be detained and must be allowed to continue performing their medical duties. If security measures have to be taken, civilian medical personnel are entitled to all the protection granted to protected persons.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial Nº 1394-2004-DE/CCFFAA/CDIH-FFAA, Lima, 1 December 2004, § 31.d.(1)–(3); see also § 156.d.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial Nº 1394-2004-DE/CCFFAA/CDIH-FFAA, Lima, 1 December 2004, § 31.d.(1)–(3); see also § 156.b.
The norms of international humanitarian law provide that medical personnel performing their duties in armed conflict must be respected and protected. This means that they must not be attacked and must be defended, assisted and supported when necessary. This right applies in all circumstances, and the obligation that it entails is binding on everyone, particularly soldiers, regardless of which side they belong to.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario y Derechos Humanos para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial No. 049-2010/DE/VPD, Lima, 21 May 2010, § 83(a), p. 285.
b. The protection of medical personnel is not an individual privilege granted to them, but rather a natural corollary to the requirement to respect and protect the victims of armed conflict.
c. Medical personnel must refrain from any act of hostility. Members of the medical personnel are protected because they must remain neutral towards the armed conflict in which they are performing their duties. If they cease to be neutral, they lose this protection.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario y Derechos Humanos para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial No. 049-2010/DE/VPD, Lima, 21 May 2010, § 74(b)–(c), p. 272.
(1) When permanent military medical personnel fall into the hands of the enemy … they can be retained to provide assistance to wounded and sick members of their own armed forces who have been captured.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario y Derechos Humanos para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial No. 049-2010/DE/VPD, Lima, 21 May 2010, § 32(10)(d), p. 250.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario y Derechos Humanos para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial No. 049-2010/DE/VPD, Lima, 21 May 2010, § 147(b), p. 333.
Peru, Manual de Derecho Internacional Humanitario y Derechos Humanos para las Fuerzas Armadas, Resolución Ministerial No. 049-2010/DE/VPD, Lima, 21 May 2010, p. 415.
1-6.3. The 1949 Geneva Convention includes the doctrine of proportionality – a concept which provides foundation for LOAC … It also embodies the protection of the various classes of people affected by the hostilities.
1-6.5. In addition to the conventions, Additional Protocols are incorporated which deal with people and their claim to protection under defined circumstances, such as medical and religious personnel. Additional Protocol One includes international conflicts and wars of national liberation. In effect, it defines the protection of the civilian population in times of international conflict.
1-6.6. Additional Protocol Two defines two things: limitations in the conduct of operations and principles relating to the protection of civilians in a non-international conflict. Thus, every combatant should understand the consequences of this Protocol.
Philippines, Air Power Manual, Philippine Air Force, Headquarters, Office of Special Studies, May 2000, §§ 1-6.3 and 1-6.5–1-6.6.
The Republic of Korea’s Operational Law Manual (1996) states that military medical personnel must be protected.
Republic of Korea, Operational Law Manual, 1996, p. 133.
Romania’s Soldiers’ Manual (1991) provides for respect for medical personnel.
Romania, Manualul Soldatului, Ghid de comportare în luptă, Asociaţia Română de Drept Umanitar (ARDU), 1991, p. 32.
The Russian Federation’s Military Manual (1990) states that attacks against medical personnel are a prohibited method of warfare.
Russian Federation, Instructions on the Application of the Rules of International Humanitarian Law by the Armed Forces of the USSR, Appendix to Order of the USSR Defence Minister No. 75, 1990, § 5(g).
Enemy medical and religious personnel shall be respected and protected and shall not be made the object of attack, unless such personnel, when checked, have committed acts which go beyond their professional (medical or religious) duties and if they refrain from taking part in hostilities; if the said persons observe the established identification rules … Protection may cease only after a warning has been given setting, whenever appropriate, a reasonable time-limit and after such warning has remained unheeded.
Russian Federation, Regulations on the Application of International Humanitarian Law by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 8 August 2001, § 58.
Russian Federation, Regulations on the Application of International Humanitarian Law by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, Moscow, 8 August 2001, § 83.
Senegal’s Disciplinary Regulations (1990) provides that soldiers in combat must respect and protect medical personnel.
Sierra Leone’s Instructor Manual (2007) lists “civilian and military medical personnel and facilities” among “persons under special protection”.
Sierra Leone, The Law of Armed Conflict. Instructor Manual for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Armed Forces Education Centre, September 2007, p. 29.
Sierra Leone, The Law of Armed Conflict. Instructor Manual for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Armed Forces Education Centre, September 2007, p. 56.
Spain’s LOAC Manual (1996) defines medical personnel with reference to Article 8 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Publicación OR7-004, 2 Tomos, aprobado por el Estado Mayor del Ejército, División de Operaciones, 18 March 1996, Vol. I, § 9.2.a.(1).
It must be underlined that the protection of medical personnel is not a personal privilege but rather a corollary of the respect and protection due to the wounded and sick, who must be treated humanely in all circumstances. This means that the protection of medical personnel is not permanent but is only granted when such personnel are carrying out their humanitarian tasks. Medical personnel lose the special protection to which they are entitled if they commit acts of hostility. Such behaviour might even constitute perfidy if in so doing they take advantage of their medical position and the distinctive emblems.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Publicación OR7-004, 2 Tomos, aprobado por el Estado Mayor del Ejército, División de Operaciones, 18 March 1996, Vol. I, § 9.2.a.(2).
Spain’s LOAC Manual (2007) defines medical personnel with reference to Article 8 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Tomo 1, Publicación OR7–004, (Edición Segunda), Mando de Adiestramiento y Doctrina, Dirección de Doctrina, Orgánica y Materiales, 2 November 2007, § 9.2.a.(1).
The manual also states that medical personnel of the armed forces and civilian medical personnel are protected persons and cannot therefore be attacked.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Tomo 1, Publicación OR7–004, (Edición Segunda), Mando de Adiestramiento y Doctrina, Dirección de Doctrina, Orgánica y Materiales, 2 November 2007, § 4.5.b.(1).(b); see also §§ 5.2.a.(2).(c), 7.3.a.(10) and 9.2.a.2.(c).
It should be emphasized that the protection to which medical personnel are entitled is not an individual privilege granted to them, but rather a natural corollary to the obligations to respect and protect the wounded and sick, who must be treated humanely in all circumstances.
This means that such protection is not permanent; it is granted when and for as long as medical personnel are performing humanitarian duties. If medical personnel commit acts of hostility, they lose this special protection, and their conduct could be considered an act of perfidy if they take advantage of their medical status or the protective emblems to commit such acts.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Tomo 1, Publicación OR7–004, (Edición Segunda), Mando de Adiestramiento y Doctrina, Dirección de Doctrina, Orgánica y Materiales, 2 November 2007, § 9.2.a.(2).(a).
The manual further states that “medical personnel … who take a direct part in hostilities” are military objectives and can therefore be attacked.
Spain, Orientaciones. El Derecho de los Conflictos Armados, Tomo 1, Publicación OR7–004, (Edición Segunda), Mando de Adiestramiento y Doctrina, Dirección de Doctrina, Orgánica y Materiales, 2 November 2007, § 4.5.b.(1).(a).
Sweden’s IHL Manual (1991) considers that Article 15 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I on the protection of medical personnel has the status of customary law.
Sweden, International Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflict, with reference to the Swedish Total Defence System, Swedish Ministry of Defence, January 1991, Section 2.2.3, p. 18.
Switzerland’s Basic Military Manual (1987) states: “Medical … personnel must be respected and protected in all circumstances. They may not be attacked or prevented from carrying out their duties.” It defines medical personnel as including persons specially and exclusively assigned to the care of the wounded and sick, such as doctors, nurses and stretcher-bearers; administrative staff of medical units and establishments such as hospital administrators, drivers and cooks; chaplains and temporary medical personnel.
Switzerland, Lois et coutumes de la guerre (Extrait et commentaire), Règlement 51.7/II f, Armée Suisse, 1987, Article 78(1) and commentary.
Switzerland, The Ten Basic Rules of the Law of Armed Conflict, Aide-memoire 51.007/IIIe, Swiss Army, issued based on Article 10 of the Ordinance for Organization of the Federal Department for Defence, Civil Protection and Sports dated 7 March 2003, entry into force on 1 July 2005, Rule 7.
176 Medical personnel, equipment and means of transport as well as localities used by the military service must be spared and must not be hindered in the fulfilment of their mission.
177 The red cross and the red crescent on a white ground represent a distinctive emblem. Civilian and military medical personnel must be enabled to carry out their duties at all times. Civilian and military medical personnel who do not participate in hostilities must be protected at all times, even when wearing no distinctive emblem or no distinctive emblem that has been officially recognized by the Conventions.
178 For their own protection, medical personnel may be armed with a personal weapon (e.g. assault rifle, submachine gun, pistol). Explosive weapons and collective weapons are prohibited. Medical personnel do not participate in hostilities, except for their own protection or for the protection of the patients in their care. Nor must they be engaged in other harmful acts (e.g. intelligence services).
179 Enemy medical personnel may be retained for as long as they are needed for the care of patients. Superiors make the necessary arrangements.
Switzerland, Bases légales du comportement à l’engagement (BCE), Règlement 51.007/IVf, Swiss Army, issued based on Article 10 of the Ordinance on the Organization of the Federal Department for Defence, Civil Protection and Sports of 7 March 2003, entry into force on 1 July 2005, §§ 159(3), 176–179, 225 and 237.
Togo’s Military Manual (1996) lists military and civilian medical personnel as specially protected persons.
The manual states: “Specially protected persons may not take a direct part in hostilities and must not be attacked. They shall be allowed to carry out their tasks as long as the tactical situation permits”.
Togo, Le Droit de la Guerre, III fascicules, Etat-major Général des Forces Armées Togolaises, Ministère de la Défense nationale, 1996, Fascicule III, p. 5; see also Fascicule II, p. 8.
Ukraine’s IHL Manual (2004) states that medical personnel are “protected under international humanitarian law” and that directing attacks against such persons constitutes “a serious violation of international humanitarian law”.
Ukraine, Manual on the Application of IHL Rules, Ministry of Defence, 11 September 2004, §§ 1.2.33 and 1.8.5.
1.2.24. Non-combatants (those who do not fight) are members of the armed forces who provide assistance to them but take no direct part in hostilities. These [include] medical personnel … Weapons shall not be employed against such persons while they are engaged in the performance of their direct duties.
Such persons become combatants in case of their direct participation in hostilities.
- for performing exclusively medical purposes – namely the search for, collection, transportation, diagnosis or treatment – including first-aid treatment – of the wounded, sick and shipwrecked, or for the prevention of disease or for maintenance of medical units and work on medical transport.
Ukraine, Manual on the Application of IHL Rules, Ministry of Defence, 11 September 2004, §§ 1.2.24 and 1.2.34.
The UK Military Manual (1958) restates Articles 24–26 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I.
United Kingdom, The Law of War on Land being Part III of the Manual of Military Law, The War Office, HMSO, 1958, §§ 346–347 and 350.
must not knowingly be attacked, fired upon, or unnecessarily prevented from discharging their proper functions. The pure accidental killing or wounding of protected personnel when in or near the area of combat is not a legitimate cause for complaint.
United Kingdom, The Law of War on Land being Part III of the Manual of Military Law, The War Office, HMSO, 1958, § 346, footnote 1.
The manual also restates Article 20 of the 1949 Geneva Convention IV.
United Kingdom, The Law of War on Land being Part III of the Manual of Military Law, The War Office, HMSO, 1958, § 32.
United Kingdom, The Law of Armed Conflict, D/DAT/13/35/66, Army Code 71130 (Revised 1981), Ministry of Defence, prepared under the Direction of The Chief of the General Staff, 1981, Section 6, p. 23, § 9(a).
7.11. “Medical personnel” means “those persons assigned, by a Party to the conflict, exclusively to the medical purposes enumerated in paragraph 7.10 [relating to medical units] or to the administration of medical units or to the operation or administration of medical transports. Such assignments may be either permanent or temporary’.
7.11.1. The term embraces not only doctors and nurses but also a wide range of specialists, technicians, maintenance staff, drivers, cooks and administrators. It expressly includes military and civilian personnel and those assigned to civil defence organizations as well as medical personnel of national Red Cross or Red Crescent or other duly authorized and recognized national voluntary aid societies. Personnel of medical units and transports of neutral and other states not parties to the conflict, national aid societies of such states and impartial international humanitarian organizations are also included within the definition if made available to a party to the conflict for humanitarian purposes. While the expression includes dental personnel and chaplains in medical units and part-time medical personnel while engaged on medical duties, it excludes qualified medical and dental practitioners who are not assigned exclusively to medical purposes.
7.26. Service medical personnel must be clearly identifiable as such so that they receive the protection and respect due to them. To achieve this, all service medical personnel must, in addition to normal service identity discs, wear on the left arm a water-resistant armlet (brassard) bearing the appropriate distinctive emblem. The armlet should be issued and stamped by the military authority. Service medical personnel must also carry a special identity card bearing the distinctive emblem. This card is embossed with the stamp of the military authority. These service identity cards must be uniform throughout the same armed forces and, as far as possible, of a similar type in the armed forces of all parties to Geneva Conventions I and II. Parties to a conflict must inform each other at the outbreak of hostilities which model identity card they are using. Identity cards should be made out, if possible, at least in duplicate, one copy being kept by the home country. In no circumstances may service medical personnel be deprived of their armlets (or the right to wear them) or of their identity cards. In the case of loss they are entitled to receive duplicates of the cards and to have the insignia replaced.
7.27. In the event of capture, medical personnel do not become prisoners of war but are “retained personnel”.
7.28. Auxiliary medical personnel are members of the armed forces who are specifically trained for employment, when the need arises, as hospital orderlies, nurses or auxiliary stretcher-bearers in the search for or the collection, transport or treatment of the wounded and sick. Auxiliary medical personnel are issued with a special identity card. Auxiliary medical personnel become prisoners of war on capture. They may be required to exercise their medical functions in the interests of prisoners of war of their own state. In that case, they are exempt from any other work.
7.29. Civilian medical personnel are to be accorded the same protection as service medical personnel and, in occupied territory and areas where fighting is taking place or is likely to take place, they should be recognizable by the distinctive emblem and carry an identity card certifying their status. This card differs from that issued to service medical personnel. Civilian medical personnel who fall into the hands of the enemy should not be detained and should be allowed to continue their medical duties. If any security measures have to be taken, civilian medical personnel have all the protection of protected persons.
United Kingdom, The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict, Ministry of Defence, 1 July 2004, §§ 7.11–7.11.1, 7.26, 7.27–7.28 and 7.29.
Furthermore, the manual prohibits attacks on medical and religious personnel in non-international armed conflict.
The respect and protection accorded personnel by Articles 19, 24, and 25 [of the 1949 Geneva Convention I] mean that they must not knowingly be attacked, fired upon, or unnecessarily prevented from discharging their proper functions. The accidental killing or wounding of such personnel, due to their presence among or in proximity to combatant elements actually engaged, by fire directed at the latter, gives no just cause for complaint.
United States, Field Manual 27-10, The Law of Land Warfare, US Department of the Army, 18 July 1956, as modified by Change No. 1, 15 July 1976, §§ 225–226.
Protection is also granted to the personnel of aid societies by reference to Article 26 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I.
United States, Field Manual 27-10, The Law of Land Warfare, US Department of the Army, 18 July 1956, as modified by Change No. 1, 15 July 1976, § 227.
The US Air Force Pamphlet (1976) refers to the protection of medical personnel as set out in the 1949 Geneva Convention I.
The Pamphlet further states: “In addition to grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the following acts are representative of situations involving individual criminal responsibility: (1) deliberate attack on … medical … personnel”.
The US Air Force Commander’s Handbook (1980) provides that medical personnel, civilian or military, “should not be deliberately attacked, fired upon, or unnecessarily prevented from performing their medical duties. The same protection should also be given to any civilian or group of civilians trying to aid the sick and wounded after combat”.
Medical personnel, including medical and dental officers, technicians and corpsmen, nurses, and medical service personnel, have special protected status when engaged exclusively in medical duties and may not be attacked.
United States, The Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations, NWP 1-14M/MCWP 5-2.1/COMDTPUB P5800.7, issued by the Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Headquarters, US Marine Corps, and Department of Transportation, US Coast Guard, October 1995 (formerly NWP 9 (Rev. A)/FMFM 1-10, October 1989), § 11.5.
The Annotated Supplement to the US Naval Handbook (1997) notes: “The United States supports the principle in [Article 15 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I] that civilian medical … personnel be respected and protected and not be made the objects of attack”.
United States, Annotated Supplement to the Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations, prepared by the Oceans Law and Policy Department, Center for Naval Warfare Studies, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, November 1997, § 11.5, footnote 31.
Medical personnel of the armed forces, including medical and dental officers, technicians and corpsmen, nurses, and medical service personnel, have special protected status when engaged exclusively in medical duties. In exchange for this protection, medical personnel must not commit acts harmful to the enemy. If they do, they risk losing their protection as noncombatants and could be attacked.
United States, The Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations, NWP 1-14M/MCWP 5-12.1/COMDTPUB P5800.7, issued by the Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Headquarters, US Marine Corps, and Department of Homeland Security, US Coast Guard, July 2007, § 8.2.4.1.
Noncombatants [§ 5.4.2. – “Noncombatants are those members of the armed forces who do not take direct part in hostilities because of their status as medical personnel and chaplains”] may not be deliberately or indiscriminately attacked, unless they forgo their protection by taking a direct part in hostilities.
Medical personnel … falling into enemy hands … unless their retention by the enemy is required to provide for the medical … needs of prisoners of war, … must be repatriated at the earliest opportunity.
United States, The Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations, NWP 1-14M/MCWP 5-12.1/COMDTPUB P5800.7, issued by the Department of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Headquarters, US Marine Corps, and Department of Homeland Security, US Coast Guard, July 2007, § 11.4.
United States, Manual for Military Commissions, published in implementation of Chapter 47A of Title 10, United States Code, as amended by the Military Commissions Act of 2009, 10 U.S.C, §§ 948a, et seq., 27 April 2010, § 1(a)(2)(C), p. IV-1.
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s Military Manual (1988) restates Articles 24–26 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I and extends the protection of military medical personnel to civilian medical personnel.
Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of, Propisi o Primeri Pravila Medjunarodnog Ratnog Prava u Oruzanim Snagama SFRJ, PrU-2, Savezni Sekretarijat za Narodnu Odbranu (Pravna Uprava), 1988, §§ 175–178 and 195; see also § 82 (conduct of hostilities).
Zimbabwe’s Code of Conduct for Combatants (1993) states: “Respect medical personnel”.
Zimbabwe, Code of Conduct for Combatants, Joint publication of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the International Committee of the Red Cross Regional Delegation in Harare, 1993, p. 5.
The Code of Conduct adds: “Special protection is to be given to medical personnel”.
15. intentionally directing attacks against … medical … personnel using the distinctive emblems of international humanitarian law, in conformity with international law.
Belgium, Penal Code, 1867, as amended on 5 August 2003, Chapter III, Title I bis, Article 136 quater, § 1(15).
8 ter intentionally directing attacks against … medical … personnel using the distinctive emblems of international humanitarian law, in conformity with international law.
Belgium, Law relating to the Repression of Grave Breaches of International Humanitarian Law, 1993, as amended on 23 April 2003, Article 1 ter, § 1(8 ter).
Under the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Criminal Code (1998), “murder, torture [or] inhuman treatment” of medical personnel is considered to be a war crime.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federation, Criminal Code, 1998, Article 155.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, Criminal Code, 2000, Article 434.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Criminal Code, 2003, Article 174(a) and (b).
medical, paramedical and aid society personnel, members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and persons who, permanently or temporarily, provide humanitarian services and transports of medicine, food and humanitarian aid in situations of armed conflict or natural disaster.
Colombia, Emblem Decree, 1998, Article 10.
Under Colombia’s Penal Code (2000), it is a punishable act to “hinder or prevent, at the occasion of and during armed conflict, medical, health and aid personnel … from carrying out the medical and humanitarian tasks assigned to them by the norms of International Humanitarian Law”.
All authorities and persons in Colombia must protect the medical … personnel of the public forces [i.e. the armed forces and the police], the civilian medical personnel [as well as] the medical, paramedical and relief personnel who permanently or temporarily carry out humanitarian tasks in situations of armed conflict.
Colombia, Decree No. 138, 2005, Article 16.
Under Croatia’s Criminal Code (1997), “the killing, torture or inhuman treatment” of medical personnel is a war crime.
Croatia, Criminal Code, 1997, Article 159.
Under El Salvador’s Code of Military Justice (1934), medical personnel must be respected.
El Salvador, Code of Military Justice, 1934, Article 69.
Under Estonia’s Penal Code (2001), “a person who kills, tortures, causes health damage to or takes hostage a member of a medical unit properly identified, or any other person attending to the sick or wounded persons” commits a war crime.
Under Ethiopia’s Penal Code (1957), “the killing, torture or inhuman treatment or other acts entailing direct suffering or physical or mental injury to … members of the medical or first-aid services” is punishable as a war crime.
Ethiopia, Penal Code, 1957, Article 283(a).
Article 271.- War Crimes against Wounded, Sick or Shipwrecked Persons or Medical Services.
is punishable in accordance with Article 270 [with rigorous imprisonment from five years to twenty-five years, or, in more serious cases, with life imprisonment or death].
Ethiopia, Criminal Code , 2004, Article 271(1)(a).
Ethiopia’s Criminal Code of 2004 replaced the Penal Code of 1957.
Combatants must respect and treat with humanity all persons protected by the applicable international conventions, as well as their objects.
Protected persons are protected as long as they abstain from taking a direct part in hostilities.
It is prohibited for combatants to deliberately target protected persons.
Intentionally launching attacks against medical personnel … displaying, in accordance with international law, the distinctive emblems provided for in the [1949 Geneva Conventions] or their  Additional Protocols is punishable by 20 years’ imprisonment.
France, Penal Code, 1992, as amended in 2010, Article 461-12.
Georgia’s Criminal Code (1999) provides for the punishment of “wilful breaches of norms of international humanitarian law committed in an international or internal armed conflict … against medical … personnel”.
Georgia, Criminal Code, 1999, Article 411(2).
Ireland’s Geneva Conventions Act (1962), as amended in 1998, provides that any “minor breach” of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, including violations of Articles 24–26 of the Geneva Convention I, Article 36 of the Geneva Convention II and Article 20 of the Geneva Convention IV, and of the 1977 Additional Protocol I, including violations of Article 15(1), as well as any “contravention” of the 1977 Additional Protocol II, including violations of Article 9(1), are punishable offences.
Italy’s Law of War Decree (1938), as amended in 1992, states that military medical personnel must be respected and protected “provided they are not committing acts of hostility”.
Italy, Law of War Decree, 1938, as amended in 1992, Article 95.
Lithuania’s Criminal Code (1961), as amended in 1998, prohibits attacks against medical and civilian defence personnel, military or civilian hospitals, health centres, vehicles transporting the wounded and sick, and personnel of the ICRC or National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies if protected by the distinctive emblems.
Nicaragua’s Military Penal Code (1996) provides for the punishment of any soldier who “exercises violence against the personnel of medical … services, be they enemy or neutral, members of aid organizations and personnel affected to the services of [medical establishments]”, provided that the protection due is not misused for hostile purposes.
Nicaragua, Military Penal Code, 1996, Article 57(2).
2. Attacks medical … personnel … who are identified with the protective signs of the  Geneva Conventions in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.
Peru, Military and Police Criminal Code, 2010, Article 95(2).
Poland’s Penal Code (1997) provides for the protection of medical personnel, including the medical personnel of authorized aid societies.
Poland, Penal Code, 1997, Article 123(1)(2).
Romania’s Penal Code (1968) provides for the punishment of anyone who “subjects to inhuman treatment … members of civil medical personnel … or subjects such persons to medical or scientific experiments”.
Romania, Penal Code, 1968, Article 358.
Serbia’s Criminal Code (2005) states that, in time of war, armed conflict or occupation, ordering or committing an attack “against … medical staff” constitutes a war crime.
Serbia, Criminal Code, 2005, Article 373.
Under Slovenia’s Penal Code (1994), “slaughter, torture [or] inhuman treatment” of medical personnel is a war crime.
Slovenia, Penal Code, 1994, Article 375.
375. Use of weapons against … medical … personnel. – Anyone who uses weapons … against the personnel responsible for [the sick and wounded] … when, in accordance with the law and international agreements, they must be regarded as respected and protected, shall, unless the act constitutes a more serious offence, be punished by military confinement for not less than 10 years.
378. Violence against medical personnel … – 1. … [A]nyone who uses violence against any of the persons regularly assigned to the medical service, when, in accordance with the law and international agreements, the said personnel must be respected and protected, shall be punished by imprisonment for 5 to 15 years.
3. If the violence consists of homicide, including attempted murder or manslaughter, or severe personal injury, the corresponding penalties prescribed in the criminal code shall be applied. The penalty of short-term imprisonment shall, however, be increased.
379. Failure to release medical personnel … — Anyone who, in violation of the laws and international agreements, fails to hand over or release or otherwise detains any of the persons referred to in the preceding article when they have ceased to carry out their work in the hospitals, ambulances or other places where they were providing services, shall be punished by military confinement for one to five years.
Somalia, Military Criminal Code, 1963, Articles 375, 378(1) and (3) and 379.
Spain’s Military Criminal Code (1985) provides for the punishment of any soldier who “exercises violence against the personnel of medical … services, be they enemy or neutral, members of aid organizations and personnel affected to the services of [medical establishments]”, provided that the protection due is not misused for hostile purposes.
Spain, Military Criminal Code, 1985, Article 77(4).
Spain’s Penal Code (1995) provides for the punishment of “anyone who should … exercise violence on health … personnel, or members of medical missions or rescue teams”.
Spain, Penal Code, 1995, Article 612(2).
2. Exercising violence against medical … personnel or against a member of medical missions.
Spain, Penal Code, 1995, as amended on 25 November 2003, Article 612(2).
(c) personnel of the medical … service of the enemy, unless they turn into combatants.
Sudan, Armed Forces Act, 2007, Article 152.
2 For the rest, the members of the RCS have the same rights and the same duties as the military.
1 Members of the RCS are assigned to the army as specialists. They carry out their tasks within the framework of the army’s medical service.
c. the medico-technical and medico-therapeutic services.
3 They are responsible for promoting the fundamental rules of international humanitarian law and the principles of the Red Cross.
Switzerland, Ordinance on the Red Cross Service, 2006, Articles 1–2.
Tajikistan’s Criminal Code (1998), in the section on “Serious violations of international humanitarian law”, provides for the punishment of “wilful breaches of norms of international humanitarian law committed in an international or non-international armed conflict, against … medical … personnel”.
Tajikistan, Criminal Code, 1998, Article 403(2).
Ukraine’s Criminal Code (2001) stipulates that medical personnel are to be respected.
Ukraine, Criminal Code, 2001, Article 414.
(C) military medical or religious personnel.
United States, Military Commissions Act, 2006, Public Law 109-366, Chapter 47A of Title 10 of the United States Code, 17 October 2006, p. 120 Stat. 2625, § 950v(a)(2)(C).
“(2) The term “protected person” means any person entitled to protection under one or more of the  Geneva Conventions, including … military medical … personnel.
Venezuela’s Code of Military Justice (1998), as amended, prohibits attacks on Red Cross and medical personnel and provides for the punishment of “those who carry out serious attacks against members of … medical services, be they enemy or neutral”.
Under the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia’s Penal Code (1976), as amended in 2001, “murder, torture [or] inhuman treatment” of medical personnel is a war crime.
Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of, Penal Code, 1976, as amended in 2001, Article 143.
In 2007, in the Constitutional Case No. C-291/07, the Plenary Chamber of Colombia’s Constitutional Court stated that the obligation in the 1977 Additional Protocol II to respect and protect medical personnel “has attained customary status, mainly due to its impact on State practice and on conflicts in the last decades”.
Colombia, Constitutional Court, Constitutional Case No. C-291/07, Judgment of 25 April 2007, p. 69; see also p. 119.
[I]nternational law provides protection for medical stations and personnel against attack by combat forces. Article 19 of the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field, of Aug. 12, 1949 … forbids, under all circumstances, attack of stations and mobile medical units of the “Medical Service,” that is to say, hospitals, medical warehouses, evacuation points for the wounded and sick, and ambulances.
Israel, Supreme Court, Physicians for Human Rights v. IDF Commander in the West Bank, 28 April 2002, § 1.
17. … Everyone agrees that the rules of customary international law – which grant protection to medical personnel … – apply to the combat operations that are being carried out in the “Cast Lead” operation and bind the actions of the IDF [Israel Defense Forces].
18. The provisions of international humanitarian law grant protection to medical … personnel from being attacked. Thus … arts. 24–25 of the First Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field, 1949, prohibit any attack upon medical personnel, if they are exclusively or currently engaged in medical activities; art. 26 of the Fourth Geneva Convention extends this protection to members of the Red Cross or other international organizations that fulfil similar functions (see also art. 20 of the Fourth Geneva Convention). A detailed definition of what constitutes protected medical personnel is laid down in art. 8(c) of the First Protocol [1977 Additional Protocol I] and detailed provisions with regard to the protections that are given to medical personnel are laid down in arts. 12–16 of the First Protocol.
Israel, High Court of Justice, Physicians for Human Rights v. Prime Minister of Israel, Judgment, 19 January 2009, §§ 17–18.
United Kingdom, England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division), MH and DS case, Judgment, 24 March 2003, § 31.
“Protected person” means any person entitled to protection under one or more of the Geneva Conventions, including: (a) civilians not taking part in hostilities; (b) military personnel placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, or detention; and (c) military medical or religious personnel.
The Report on the Practice of Algeria notes that no instances of attacks against medical personnel or objects by the Armée de Libération Nationale (ALN) were reported during Algeria’s war of independence.
Report on the Practice of Algeria, 1997, Chapter 2.7.
Members of the Friends Group have reliably called on the Security Council to strengthen its protection framework even more and consistently called for all six grave violations committed against children in armed conflict to be included amongst the Security Council Resolution 1612 [of 2005] listing criteria. The Friends Group has supported a progressive approach in this regard and therefore commends the Security Council in filling an important gap in the child protection framework by including attacks against schools and hospitals as the latest trigger through the resolution it will adopt today [Resolution 1998(2011)].
For the Friends Group, a new trigger such as this not only includes in the annexes to the Secretary General’s reports on children and armed conflict those parties to armed conflict that, in contravention of applicable international law, engage in attacks against schools and hospitals, but also those who engage in threats or attacks against schoolchildren, patients, educational or medical personnel.
Canada, Statement by the deputy permanent representative of Canada before the UN Security Council during an open debate in connection with the agenda item “Children and Armed Conflict”, made on behalf of the Group of Friends of Children and Armed Conflict, 12 July 2011.
The Secretary General and the International Committee of the Red Cross highlight the fact that health care providers and facilities continue to come under attack in situations of conflict and violence. … Humanitarian workers, including medical volunteers, have lost their lives in the performance of their duties.
The brutal conflict in Syria represents a stark example of how much work remains to be achieved to better protect civilians who are routinely victims of deliberate and targeted attacks, as are hospitals, medical facilities and health care workers. The result is that people in desperate need are denied lifesaving humanitarian assistance. … Canada calls on all parties to the conflict in Syria to refrain from attacking civilians and other protected persons and facilities in conformity with their obligations under international law.
Canada, Statement by the permanent representative of Canada before the UN Security Council during an open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, 19 August 2013, p. 1.
According to the Report on the Practice of Chile, it is Chile’s opinio juris that the prohibition of attacks on medical personnel and objects is part of customary international law.
Report on the Practice of Chile, 1997, Chapter 2.7.
In 1972, in a statement before the General Conference of UNESCO concerning US attacks in Viet Nam, China criticized the United States because it allegedly had “wantonly bombarded Vietnamese cities and villages, seriously destroyed many schools and cultural and sanitary facilities [and] killed a large number of teachers, students, patients and medical personnel”.
China, Statement before the General Conference of UNESCO, 25 October 1972, Selected Documents of the Chinese Delegation to the United Nations, The People’s Press, Beijing, 1972, p. 239.
According to the Report on the Practice of China, it is China’s opinio juris that medical personnel shall be respected and protected.
Report on the Practice of China, 1997, Chapter 2.7.
Under the instructions given to the French armed forces for the conduct of Opération Mistral, simulating a military operation under the right of self-defence or a mandate of the UN Security Council, medical personnel shall be protected.
France, État-major de la Force d’Action Rapide, Ordres pour l’Opération Mistral, 1995, Section 6, § 62.
At the CDDH, the Federal Republic of Germany stated that it could not agree that “the definitions of Article 8 [of the 1977 Additional Protocol I] could apply to the Geneva Conventions, but they should apply to the whole of [the 1977 Additional Protocol I], and not only to part II”.
Germany, Federal Republic, Statement at the CDDH, Official Records, Vol. XI, CDDH/II/SR.4, 12 March 1974, p. 26, § 10.
The Federal Republic of Germany also explained that the distinction between local and foreign non-Red Cross relief organizations was “to avoid the situation of an obscure private group from outside the country establishing itself as an aid society within the territory and then being recognized by the rebels”.
Germany, Federal Republic of, Statement at the CDDH, Official Records, Vol. XII, CDDH/II/SR.80, 4 June 1976, p. 270, § 16.
In a declaration in 1993, the German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs condemned the killing of a German soldier belonging to UNTAC’s medical personnel in Cambodia as a “cruel act of violence”.
Germany, Declaration by the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Süddeutsche Zeitung, 15 October 1993.
The Report on the Practice of Germany notes that the German Federal Armed Forces may incorporate medical staff into combat units, if they are needed, especially for special missions.
Report on the Practice of Germany, 1997, Answers to additional questions on Chapter 2.7.
The Report on the Practice of Iraq refers to the protection afforded to medical personnel by the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
Report on the Practice of Iraq, 1998, Chapter 2.7.
On the basis of the reply by Iraq’s Ministry of Defence to a questionnaire, the report also states that the protection of relief personnel is “an absolute principle, without any restriction”.
Report on the Practice of Iraq, 1998, Chapter 4.2.
According to the Report on the Practice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran accused Iraq on several occasions of attacking Iranian Red Crescent personnel during the Iran–Iraq war. Islamic Republic of Iran claimed that Iraq had violated IHL by committing these acts.
Report on the Practice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1997, Chapter 2.7.
The IDF … has chosen to incorporate its front-line medical staff in its combat units. As a result, when participating in combat missions, front-line Israeli military medical personnel would not carry distinguishing marks and do not expect to be granted protected status in combat situations.
Report on the Practice of Israel, 1997, Chapter 2.7, referring to Conduct in the Battlefield in Accordance with the Law of War, Israel Defence Forces, 1986, p. 7.
Israel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Operation in Gaza 27 December 2008–18 January 2009: Factual and Legal Aspects, 29 July 2009, § 371.
During the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait in 1990, Kuwait stated in a letter to the UN Secretary-General: “On the pretext that the staff had been lax in attending to the injured Iraqis, a number of the hospital staff were arrested, tortured and then executed.” These acts were described as violations of “the most basic of human rights” and of the 1949 Geneva Convention IV.
Kuwait, Letter dated 16 September 1990 to the UN Secretary-General, UN Doc. S/21777, 17 September 1990, p. 1.
Kuwait, Statement at the International Conference for the Protection of War Victims, Geneva, 30 August–1 September 1993.
According to the Report on the Practice of Kuwait, attacks against medical personnel are an offence under Kuwaiti law.
Report on the Practice of Kuwait, 1997, Chapter 2.7.
According to the Report on the Practice of Nigeria, it is Nigeria’s opinio juris that the prohibition of attacks on medical personnel and objects is part of customary international law.
Report on the Practice of Nigeria, 1997, Chapter 2.7.
An agreement, concluded in 1990 between several Philippine governmental departments, the National Police, and a group of NGOs involved in the delivery of medical services, provides for the protection of health workers from harassment and human rights violations. The preamble to the agreement states that the parties are adhering to generally accepted principles of IHL and human rights law.
Philippines, Memorandum of Agreement on the Delivery of Health Services between the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Local Government, National Defense and Health and the Philippines Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and the Medical Action Group (MAG), 10 December 1990, preamble.
The Report on the Practice of the Philippines notes that medical personnel are given protection when they are delivering health services.
Report on the Practice of the Philippines, 1997, Chapter 2.7.
Report on the Practice of Rwanda, 1997, Replies by army officers to a questionnaire, Chapter 2.7.
Medical personnel of aid societies were not specifically mentioned, but in reply to the question regarding the improper use of uniforms, an officer stated that the use of the “uniforms” of humanitarian organizations was prohibited since it endangered their staff.
In Armed conflicts recognisable emblems serve above all to protect military and civilian medical installations as well as the buildings of national relief organisations and their personnel from attack (protective function). This protection is guaranteed not by the emblems themselves but is based directly in international law.
The medical and religious personnel who administer to prisoners must not be considered prisoners of war, although they have the right to the same treatment.
Switzerland, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, ABC of International Humanitarian Law, 2009, pp. 18 and 34–35.
… Switzerland also wishes to recall that all the parties to the conflict are under the obligation to protect medical personnel, hospitals and other sanitary facilities.
Switzerland, Statement by the permanent representative of Switzerland before the UN Security Council on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, 14 January 2009, pp. 5–6.
One of the primary concerns of humanitarian law and policy is to guarantee access to victims and to provide assistance to them. However, it frequently occurs … that it is impossible to ensure the security of humanitarian actors. This was once more clearly evident in the Gaza Strip at the end of 2008 and at the beginning of 2009. Switzerland called upon all the parties to the conflict … to protect medical personnel, hospitals and other medical units.
Members of the Friends Group have reliably called on the [UN] Security Council to strengthen its protection framework even more and consistently called for all six grave violations committed against children in armed conflict to be included amongst the Security Council Resolution 1612 [of 2005] listing criteria. The Friends Group has supported a progressive approach in this regard and therefore commends the Security Council in filling an important gap in the child protection framework by including attacks against schools and hospitals as the latest trigger through the resolution it will adopt today [Resolution 1998(2011)].
Switzerland, Statement by the representative of Switzerland before the UN Human Rights Council during an interactive dialogue with the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria and the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, 16 September 2013.
Switzerland, Statement by the ambassador of Switzerland at the 64th Session of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, 1 October 2013.
Switzerland, Statement by the representative of Switzerland before the UN General Assembly during an interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, 24 October 2013.
A training video on IHL produced by the UK Ministry of Defence emphasizes the duty to respect, and not to attack, medical personnel.
United Kingdom, Ministry of Defence, Training Video: The Geneva Conventions, 1986, Report on UK Practice, 1997, Chapter 2.7.
According to the Report on UK Practice, there is no practice of incorporating medical staff in combat units in the UK armed forces.
Report on UK Practice, 1997, Chapter 2.7.
At the CDDH, the United States stated that Committee II of the CDDH “was not competent to take a decision to apply to the 1949 Geneva Conventions the terms defined in Article 8”.
United States, Statement at the CDDH, Official Records, Vol. XI, CDDH/II/SR.4, 12 March 1974, p. 25, § 4.
United States, Declaration made upon signature of the 1977 Additional Protocol I and the 1977 Additional Protocol II, 12 December 1977, § B.
the obligations in Additional Protocol II are no more than a restatement of the rules of conduct with which US military forces would almost certainly comply as a matter of national policy, constitutional and legal protections, and common decency.
In 1987, the Deputy Legal Adviser of the US Department of State affirmed that “we support the principle that medical and religious personnel must be respected and protected” as provided in Article 15 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
United States, Remarks of Michael J. Matheson, Deputy Legal Adviser, US Department of State, The Sixth Annual American Red Cross-Washington College of Law Conference on International Humanitarian Law: A Workshop on Customary International Law and the 1977 Protocols Additional to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, American University Journal of International Law and Policy, Vol. 2, 1987, pp. 423–424.
In 1991, in a diplomatic note to Iraq concerning operations in the Gulf War, the United States stated that medical personnel must be respected and protected at all times.
In 1996, the US Department of State qualified the killing of six ICRC medical aid workers in Chechnya as a “barbaric act” and condemned it “in the strongest possible terms”.
United States, Department of State, Daily Press Briefing, 17 December 1996.
In 1998, the Office of General Counsel of the US Department of Defence issued a memorandum on the subject of whether radio operators assigned to an air force medical unit could be issued with identification cards bearing the red cross and documenting their status as personnel “exclusively engaged in supporting a medical unit or establishment in performance of its medical mission” under Article 24 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I. The memorandum concluded that “the administrative staff category would appear to be broad enough to cover radio operators, so long as they are exclusively engaged in supporting a medical unit or establishment in the performance of its medical mission”.
United States, Department of Defence, Office of General Counsel, Memorandum for Defence Resources Activity, Subject: Geneva Convention Cards for Medical Personnel, 4 August 1998, Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law, Vol. 2, 1999, p. 422.
According to the Report on US Practice, it is the opinio juris of the United States that medical personnel are not to be knowingly attacked or unnecessarily prevented from performing their duties in either international or non-international armed conflicts. It adds: “Customary practice has proceeded little beyond the specific rules of the Geneva Conventions, with a few exceptions.” The report notes that there is no practice of incorporating medical staff in combat units in the armed forces.
In 1993, during a debate in the UN Security Council on the situation in the former Yugoslavia, Venezuela stated that those who had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including “attacks upon … medical personnel”, had to be brought to justice.
Venezuela, Statement before the UN Security Council, UN Doc. S/PV.3269, 24 August 1993, p. 44.
Order No. 579 issued in 1991 by the Chief of Staff of the Yugoslav People’s Army (YPA) instructs YPA units to “apply all means to prevent any attempt of … mistreatment of … religious and medical personnel”.
Yugoslavia, Chief of General Staff of the Yugoslav People’s Army, Political Department, Order No. 579, 14 October 1991, § 2.
In 1991, in a document entitled “Examples of violations of the rules of international law committed by the so-called armed forces of Slovenia”, the Ministry of Defence of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia included as an example the arrest of medical teams even though they were wearing the red cross emblem.
The Report on the Practice of Zimbabwe states that the rule on the protection of medical personnel from attack is part of customary international law. In particular, it points out the customary status of Articles 15 and 16 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
Report on the Practice of Zimbabwe, 1998, Chapter 2.7.
In a resolution adopted in 1984 on the situation of human rights in El Salvador, the UN General Assembly urged the government and the insurgent forces “to agree as early as possible to respect the medical personnel … as required by the Geneva Conventions”.
UN General Assembly, Res. 39/119, 14 December 1984, § 9, voting record: 93-11-40-15.
Expresses … its deep concern at the fact that serious and numerous violations of human rights continue to take place in El Salvador owing above all to non-fulfilment of the humanitarian rules of war and therefore … recommends that the UN Special Representative [for El Salvador] should, for the duration of the armed conflict, continue to observe and to inform the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights of the extent to which the contending parties are respecting those rules, particularly as regards humanitarian treatment and respect for … health personnel … of either party.
UN General Assembly, Res. 40/139, 13 December 1985, § 3, voting record: 100-2-42-15.
This recommendation was reiterated in a subsequent resolution adopted in 1986.
UN General Assembly, Res. 41/157, 4 December 1986, § 4, voting record: 110-0-40-9.
In a resolution adopted in 1987 on the situation of human rights in El Salvador, the UN Commission on Human Rights requested that the UN Special Representative for El Salvador “continue to observe and inform the General Assembly and the Commission of the extent to which the contending parties are respecting the humanitarian rules of war, particularly as regards respect for … health personnel”.
UN Commission on Human Rights, Res. 1987/51, 11 March 1987, § 5, voting record: 36-0-7.
1. Condemns the Israeli killing of Palestinian civilians, including women and children, as well as of medics in Beit Hanoun and other Palestinian towns and villages, and calls for bringing the perpetrators thereof to justice.
UN Human Rights Council, Res. S-3/1, 15 November 2006, preamble and § 1, voting record: 32-8-6.
Recommends that the UN Special Representative for El Salvador inform the Commission on whether both parties accept their obligation to respect the Geneva Conventions and to what extent they are truly observing them, specially in those aspects which refer to the protection of … the medical personnel of both parties.
UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights, Res. 1985/18, 29 August 1985, § 4.
In 1994, in its final report on grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions and other violations of IHL committed in the former Yugoslavia, the UN Commission of Experts Established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 780 (1992) linked attacks on medical personnel to “ethnic cleansing”, regarding them as a coercive means to remove the population from certain areas.
UN Commission of Experts Established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 780 (1992), Final report, UN Doc. S/1994/674, 27 May 1994, §§ 133–134.
In 1994, in its final report on grave violations of IHL in Rwanda, the UN Commission of Experts Established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 935 (1994) treated the cases of attacks on medical personnel no differently from attacks on civilians. It mostly referred to common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions (acknowledging its customary status) and of the 1977 Additional Protocol II.
UN Commission of Experts Established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 935 (1994), Final report, UN Doc. S/1994/1405, 9 December 1994, §§ 73–92.
In 1995, in a report on the conflict in Guatemala, the Director of MINUGUA recommended to the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG) that it “should issue precise instructions to its combatants to refrain from … endangering ambulances and duly identified health workers who assist such wounded persons”.
In its report in 1993, the UN Commission on the Truth for El Salvador held that the summary execution of a Spanish doctor who had entered El Salvador to work as a doctor for the Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN) was a flagrant violation of IHL and human rights law. No indication was given as to what were the doctor’s activities, and the Commission made no mention of the special protected status of medical personnel.
UN Commission on the Truth for El Salvador, Report, UN Doc. S/25500, 1 April 1993, Annex, pp. 89–92.
The Commission described the summary execution of a French nurse working in an FMLN hospital by a unit of the Salvadoran Air Force as a deliberate attack on medical personnel in violation of IHL.
UN Commission on the Truth for El Salvador, Report, UN Doc. S/25500, 1 April 1993, Annex, pp. 87–89.
In a resolution adopted in 1988 on the protection of humanitarian medical missions, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly called on all States to respect “the right of medical personnel to be protected during their missions”. It recalled that the 1977 Additional Protocols afforded protection to medical personnel intervening in conflicts of a non-international nature. The Parliamentary Assembly further emphasized that the protected status applied only to medical personnel working under the aegis of the ICRC or to personnel employed by a State and that the application of these texts did not always cover cases of internal conflicts not recognized by the legal government.
Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly, Res. 904 (1988), 30 June 1988, § 14 and Annex, § 1.
Following the killing of six ICRC medical aid workers in Chechnya in December 1996, the OSCE Chairman stated that he was “horrified to learn of the atrocious crime which claimed the lives of six International Red Cross aid workers as they were sleeping” and strongly condemned “this act of violence … and terrorism”.
OSCE, Chairman in Office, Press Release 86/96, 17 December 1996.
At the CDDH, the Working Group on the Protection of Medical Personnel considered in its report that the term “medical personnel” as used in the 1977 Additional Protocol II should include all the categories of personnel listed in Article 8(c) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I.
CDDH, Official Records, Vol. XIII, CDDH/II/269, 3 February–18 April 1975, p. 217.
However, the definition developed for the 1977 Additional Protocol II by Committee II, which took into account the specific aspects of non-international armed conflicts, provided that medical personnel included, inter alia, “medical personnel of other aid societies [other than Red Cross or Red Crescent organizations] recognised and authorised by a Party to the conflict and located within the territory of the High Contracting Party in whose territory an armed conflict is taking place”.
CDDH, Official Records, Vol. XIII, CDDH/235/Rev.1, Report of Committee II, 21 April–11 June 1976, p. 304.
It had been necessary to specify that aid societies other than Red Cross organizations must be located within the territory of the High Contracting Party in whose territory the armed conflict was taking place in order to avoid the situation of an obscure private group from outside the country establishing itself as an aid society within the territory and being recognized by the rebels.
CDDH, Official Records, Vol. XII, CDDH/II/SR.80, 4 June 1976, p. 270, § 16.
The Final Declaration adopted by the International Conference for the Protection of War Victims in 1993 urged all States to “make every effort” to protect medical personnel.
International Conference for the Protection of War Victims, Geneva, 30 August–1 September 1993, Final Declaration, § II (9), ILM, Vol. 33, 1994, p. 301.
In a resolution on health and war adopted in 1995, the Conference of African Ministers of Health invited OAU Member States “to do everything possible to protect medical personnel against pressure, threats and attempts on their lives”.
Conference of African Ministers of Health, Cairo, 26–28 April 1995, Res. 14 (V), § 5(c).
Yves Sandoz et al. (eds.), Commentary on the Additional Protocols, ICRC, Geneva, 1987, § 4663.
4666. The term “Red Cross organizations” was used in order to cover not only the assistance available on the government side, but also groups or sections of the Red Cross on the other side which already existed, and even improvised organizations which might be set up during the conflict.
4667. Such was the intention of the negotiators, and this interpretation remains in the absence of definitions in the Protocol. It is supported not only by the above-mentioned work of the Conference, but also by Article 18 (Relief societies and relief actions), paragraph 1, which uses the term “Red Cross organizations” in this sense. As regards relief societies, it was considered necessary to specify that relief societies other than Red Cross organizations should be located within the territory of the Contracting Party where the armed conflict was taking place, to avoid private groups from outside the country establishing themselves by claiming the status of a relief society and then being recognized by the insurgents.
4668. In the absence of a precise definition, the term “medical personnel” covers both permanent and temporary categories. The term “permanent medical personnel” means medical personnel exclusively assigned to medical purposes for an unspecified length of time, while “temporary medical personnel” are personnel exclusively assigned to medical purposes for limited periods.
4669. In both cases such assignment must be exclusive. It should be noted that such status is based on the functions carried out, and not on qualifications.
Yves Sandoz et al. (eds.), Commentary on the Additional Protocols, ICRC, Geneva, 1987, §§ 4666–4669.
64. “Medical personnel” means personnel assigned exclusively to medical activities, to the administration of medical establishments and to medical transportation.
78. The law of war grants the same status to civilian and military medical services … The provisions governing military medical personnel … apply equally to the corresponding categories of the civilian medical service.
Frédéric de Mulinen, Handbook on the Law of War for Armed Forces, ICRC, Geneva, 1987, §§ 64 and 78.
474. Specifically protected personnel … recognized as such must be respected.
475. Specifically protected personnel shall be allowed to fulfil their activity, unless the tactical situation does not permit … Their mission and genuine activity may be verified. Armed enemy personnel may be disarmed.
Frédéric de Mulinen, Handbook on the Law of War for Armed Forces, ICRC, Geneva, 1987, §§ 474–475.
In a press release issued in 1978, the ICRC urgently appealed to the belligerents in Lebanon “to take measures immediately to ensure that hospitals and medical personnel may continue their work unimpeded and in safety”.
ICRC, Press Release No. 1341, Lebanon: ICRC appeals for truce, 2 October 1978.
In a press release issued in 1991 in the context of the Gulf War, the ICRC reminded the parties to respect and protect medical personnel at all times.
ICRC, Press Release No. 1658, Gulf War: ICRC reminds States of their obligations, 17 January 1991.
In 1991, the Croatian Red Cross denounced attacks against medical personnel by the Yugoslav army.
Croatian Red Cross, Protest against repeated violations of the Geneva Conventions and Humanitarian Law in Vukovar, 22 November 1991.
In a press release issued in 1992, the ICRC urged the parties to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh to ensure that medical personnel were respected and protected.
ICRC, Press Release No. 1670, Nagorno-Karabakh: ICRC calls for respect for humanitarian law, 12 March 1992.
In a press release issued in 1992, the ICRC enjoined the parties to the conflict in Afghanistan “to respect medical personnel”.
ICRC, Press Release No. 1712, Afghanistan: ICRC appeals for compliance with humanitarian rules, 5 May 1992; see also Press Release No. 1726, Afghanistan: New ICRC appeal for compliance with humanitarian rules, 14 August 1992 and Press Release No. 1764, Afghanistan: ICRC calls for respect for the civilian population, 8 February 1994.
In a press release issued in 1992, the ICRC urged the parties to the conflict in Tajikistan “to make certain that medical personnel … are respected and protected”.
ICRC, Press Release, Tajikistan: ICRC urges respect for humanitarian rules, ICRC Dushanbe, 23 November 1992.
In a communication to the press issued in 1993, the ICRC appealed to the belligerents in the conflict in Georgia “to respect hospitals and medical personnel in all circumstances”.
ICRC, Communication to the Press No. 93/32, Conflict in Georgia: ICRC action, 22 September 1993.
Protection must be extended to health personnel in general and, in particular, to Mexican Red Cross personnel … Health personnel as well as Mexican Red Cross personnel must be deemed to be neutral and must therefore not be attacked.
Mexican Red Cross, Declaración de Cruz Roja Mexicana en torno a los acontecimientos que se han presentado en el Chiapas a partir del 1o. enero de 1994, 3 January 1994, § 2(C).
In a press release issued in 1994, the ICRC appealed to the parties to the internal armed conflict in Yemen to respect and facilitate the work of first-aiders from the Yemen Red Crescent Society and of ICRC delegates.
ICRC, Press Release No. 1773, Fighting in Yemen, 9 May 1994.
In 1994, in a Memorandum on Respect for International Humanitarian Law in Angola, the ICRC stated that medical personnel “shall be protected and respected”.
In a press release issued in 1994, the ICRC urged the parties to the conflict in Chechnya “to ensure that medical personnel … are respected and protected”.
ICRC, Press Release No. 1793, Chechnya: ICRC urges respect for humanitarian rules, 28 November 1994; see also Communication to the Press No. 96/10, Chechen conflict: ICRC appeal, 8 March 1996 and Communication to the Press No. 96/27, Russian Federation/Chechnya: ICRC calls on Federal Authorities to extend ultimatum, 21 August 1996.
In a press release issued in 1995, the ICRC expressed concern about an attack on a hospital in Burundi, which it regarded as a grave breach of IHL, and reminded the belligerents that all medical personnel must be respected.
ICRC, Press Release No. 50, Burundi: Grenade lands in hospital room, 13 December 1995.
ICRC, Press Release, Israel and the Occupied Territories: Respect for medical personnel, ICRC Tel Aviv, 1 November 2000.
Members of the medical services must be respected and protected. They must be allowed to circulate unharmed so that they can discharge their humanitarian duties. All those who take part in the confrontations must respect the medical services, whether deployed by the armed forces, civilian facilities, the Palestine Red Crescent Society or the Magen David Adom in Israel.
ICRC, Communication to the Press No. 00/42, ICRC appeal to all involved in the violence in the Near East, 21 November 2000.
In a communication to the press issued in 2001, the ICRC, deeply concerned by the situation in Afghanistan, urged the warring parties to “ensure the safety of medical personnel”.
ICRC, Communication to the Press No. 01/47, Afghanistan: ICRC calls on all parties to conflict to respect international humanitarian law, 24 October 2001.
In several reports on violations of the laws of war and on human rights in Nicaragua between 1985 and 1988, Americas Watch noted attacks against medical personnel by the armed opposition.
Americas Watch, Violations of the Laws of War by Both Sides in Nicaragua: 1981–1985 , New York, March 1985, pp. 81–83; Human Rights in Nicaragua: 1985–1986, New York, March 1986, p. 105; Human Rights in Nicaragua: August 1987–August 1988, New York, August 1988, pp. 94–95.
In one such report, it mentioned an incident in which civilian medical personnel were kidnapped by the contras. Two of them were taken over to Honduras and held and maltreated for several days. Miskito Indians were tried and convicted as accomplices in the kidnapping. They were later granted an amnesty. In the same report, Americas Watch also stated that doctors who worked in the countryside had been targeted for abduction and that several foreign physicians had been murdered.
Americas Watch, Violations of the Laws of War by Both Sides in Nicaragua: 1981–1985, New York, March 1985, pp. 74 and 80–82.
In 1988, in the context of the conflict in Angola, UNITA expressed concern about the premeditated targeting of medical personnel by government forces. It deplored the fact that the 1949 Geneva Conventions had no validity in guerrilla warfare.
“Comments of a UNITA official”, Allgemeine Zeitung, 21 March 1988.
In 1989, in a report on violations of the laws of war in Angola, Africa Watch stated that the targeting of medical personnel was unlawful.
Africa Watch, Angola: Violations of the Laws of War by Both Sides, New York, April 1989, pp. 147–148.
In a report in 1989, MAG, a Philippine NGO, reported threats, harassment and physical abuse of health workers.
Aurora A. Parong, Total War: A Threat to People’s Health and Lives, Medical Action Group (MAG), Philippines, 1989, p. 4, § 5.
Turku Declaration of Minimum Humanitarian Standards, adopted by an expert meeting convened by the Institute for Human Rights, Åbo Akademi University, Turku/Åbo, 30 November–2 December 1990, Article 14(1), IRRC, No. 282, 1991, p. 335.
International Institute of Humanitarian Law, Rules of International Humanitarian Law Governing the Conduct of Hostilities in Non-international Armed Conflicts, Rule A5, IRRC, No. 278, 1990, p. 391.

References: § 2
 § 2
 § 963
 § 521
 § 9
 § 9
 § 9
 § 4
 § 8
 § 5
 § 3
 § 541
 § 403
 § 27
 § 41
 § 53
 § 34
 § 311
 § 432
 § 438
 § 914
 § 1111
 § 1719
 § 1
 § 3
 § 2
 § 2
 § 11
 § 6
 § 625
 § 624
 § 24
 § 7
 § 12
 § 74
 § 14
 § 14
 § 0305
 § 0618
 § 0704
 § 4
 § 33
 § 7
 § 92
 § 100
 § 83
 § 31
 § 156
 § 31
 § 156
 § 83
 § 74
 § 32
 § 147
 § 5
 § 58
 § 83
 § 9
 § 9
 § 9
 § 4
 § 9
 § 4
 § 346
 § 32
 § 9
 § 227
 § 11
 § 11
 § 8
 § 11
 § 1
 § 82
 § 1
 § 1
 § 950
 v. 
 § 1
 art. 26
 art. 20
 art. 8
 v. 
 § 31
 § 62
 § 10
 § 16
 § 371
 § 4
 § 2
 § 9
 § 3
 § 4
 § 5
 § 1
 § 4
 § 14
 § 1
 § 16
 § 5
 § 4663
 § 2
 § 5