,,

CHAP TER VII

INTER NATIO NAL HUMA NITAR IAN LAW
Definit ion origin and develo pment .-Prote ction of Defenc eless in
waz L,i.Jnitations on \\feans and Method s of use of Force-Law of interna l
artJled confl.i ct-Con te~por ary issu~s and challen ges with specia l
reference to unplem entatio n of humam tarian law~
~ Definit ion of Intern ationa l Human itarian law.-I nterna tional
h1.unanitarian J~w , may in the traditio naJ:, s ense of the term, be defined
as the h~an ngh~s compo nent _of l~w of war. 1 In other words it can be
said that int ernatio nal human 1tanan law is that branch of human
rights law ~hich appJ_ies in interna tional a s well as interna l armed
conflic ts with the view to . protec t the human -being s from the
conseq uences of war . The nlaJor source s of interna tional human itarian
law are the four Geneva Conven tions of 1949 and two 1977 Protoco ls
Additio nal to .these Conven tions and notably :
(i) · Geneva Conven tion for the Amelio ration of the Condit ion of the
· Wound ed and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field, of August 12,
1949.
(ii) Geneva Conve ntion for the Amelio ration of the Condit ion of
Wound ed, Sick and Shipwr ecked Membe rs of Armed Forces at
Sea of August , 12, 1949
(iii) Geneva Conven tion relative to the Treatm ent of Prisone rs of War,
of August 12, 1949.
(iv) Geneva Conven tion relative to the Protect ion of Civilian Person s
in Tfrnes-0f War, of August 12. 1949.
The two 1977 Protoco ls Additio nal to these Conven tions are :
(i) Protoco l Additio nal to the Geneva Conven tion of 12 August 1949,
relatin g to the Protect ion of Victim s of Interna tional Armed
Conflic ts (Protoc ol I)
(ii) Protoco l Additio nal to the Geneva Conven tions of 12 August 1949
relating to the Protect ion of Victims of Non-in ternatio nal Armed
Conflic ts (Protoc ol II) . )
In additio n to these docum ents, interna tional human itarian law
also· consist s of son~ earJjer declara tions and conven tions for instanc e,
the Declara tion of PaFis 1856, the Declara tion of Petersb urg of 1868,th e ·
Hague Conven tions of 1899 and 1907, the Geneva Gas and Bacteri ologica l
Warfare Protoco l ·of 1925 as supple mented by the Conven tion of 1972 on
the Prohib ition of the Develo pment, Produc tion and Stockp iling of
Bacteri ologica l (Biolog ical) and Toxin Weapo ns and their ?estruc ~on,
1929 Geneva Conven tion. To this may be added 1981 Uruted Nation s
Conven tion of Prohib ition or Restric tions on the Use of Certain
C~nven tional Weapo ns Which May be Deeme d to be Excess ively
lllJuriou s or to Have Indiscr iminate Effects .
Human itarian law in its broade r sense. -In the broade r sense of the
term, interna tional human itarian law consist s of two major elemen ts :
- - -- - - - - - - - -
1. Thomas Buergen that, Internal Human Rights, 1995, P. 249.
[3831
::wr
I
I

384 HUMAN RIGHTS

(i ] It concer ns with the protec ~on of those ba:5ic _human rights

withou t which the existen ce ~d stl.IVl~al of human bemg is not ~ible ,
for instanc e. the right to life, the nght to h~alth both ~hys1c al and
mental , the right to human ely treatm ent, the nght t? acquire adequa te
materia ls to satisfy basic needs. such as food, clothin g, water, shelter,
medica l supplie s etc.
These rights are essenti al for the securit y, surviva l and subsist ance
of h1 iman life. Beside s there are other rights which are equally essenti al
for the enjoym ent of above mentio ned basic rights, suc h as the right to
social servive s, the right to equalit y and protec tion agains t adverse
discrim ination , right to specia l protec tion for certain catego ries of
person s. such as women , childre n, infirm, aged etc. right to such
conditi ons of work which may ensure life and health, right to protect ion
agains t collecti ve punish ment and the right to corresp ondenc e with the
family membe rs.
(2) The interna tional human itarian law has its applica tion only to ·
abnorm al situatio ns caused either by interna tional armed coilflic t or by
interna l armed conflic ts. It has no applica tion as such to situatio ns of
interna l disturb ances and tension s such as riots, isolate d and sporadi c
acts of violenc e and other acts of similar nature . 2
It has been argued by a numbe r of schola rs 3 that the scope of the
interna tional human itarian law should be expand ed to cover the
situati ons where the people flee from their own countr y and take shelter
in a foreign countr y as a refugee or where people flee from one part of his
countr y and seek shelter in other part of the same countr y and also all
those other situati ons in which people are placed in vulner able
condit ions. 4
Moreo ver it has also been argued that since interna tional
human itarian law does not includ e all of those rights which find
mentio n in the two Coven ants on Huma n Rights , namely , the
Intern ationa l Coven ant on Civil and Politic al Rights and the
Interna tional Econo mic, Social and Cultur al Rights . It has been
sugges ted that few more rights should be includ ed in the catalog ue of
interna tional human itarian rights. For instanc e, the right to protect ion
agains t arbitra ry arrest, the right to educat ion, the right to protect ion of
artistic work, and the right to take part in the cultura l life of the
commu nity, are some of those rights which must be includ ed in
intern ational human itarian law.
'I Origin
• •
and develo pment of Intern ationa l Human it.arian Law.- The
in'te~~ tional human itarian law is compa rativel y recent in its ori~-
lts ongm may be traced back to the first Geneva Conven tion of 1864. It is
known as the Geneva Conven tion for the Amelio ration of the Conditi on
of the Wound ed in Armies in Fie ld. The rules contain ed herein are of
genera l nature and concer ns mainly with the protect ion of war victimS•
These IUies, h owever , are n ot n ew.

2. Article 1 of the 1977 Protocol n.

3. J . Patroag ie and B . Jkovliev ic. Inte rnatio nal Humani tarain Law in the
Contemp orary World. Senremo . 199 1.
4. fbid P . 4 7.
 INTFH N /\T ION/\L H U MANIT /\HI /\N L AW
385
They a rc a lr<'udy in exis tence in the form of .
coocl udc d ~ftc r s p e cifi c wars and wc r cva n ous bilate .
c onven tion 1864 by way of codifl catton . ral agree men ts
adop ted by t he Gene va
An o th e r miles t one i n th e d
}ltuno nit arian lo w wns the Hagu e Confe e v e 1opm e nt 0 f - .
c onvcn Uons w ere adop ted at thes e Comre~c-es ot,. l 899 and mter n a t10na l
1907 . Many
regu la tion of cond uct o f h ostili ties, Co~::~~~~ which
Rcgu lo tions in anne xe , was of partic provid ed _for the
. n IV togeth er with the
conta ined th e la w a nd custo ms of war on ~;~d
1
•~-~ r~anc e b_e cause _it
porUc u ta r d ecla r a tory of cu stoma ry la w of warfa re i;,h;n
venti on was 1:11
Conve1 l t io n wa s n c t only to regula te th e condu ct ~f h
frI~~pose ~f ~his
to Jirnit U1t:' m ea n s to ca u sin g inJ'ury to e nemy b t
los
·
pro tectio n
t tl
° b
le com atan_ts and war vic tims. , u a s o t o IP•~s ~d b us
ovi e etter
For this reaso n, this
Con~ cntio1 : m ay b e d e~cn b ed as intern ation al huma
apphc a ble m armed con flicts. nitari an law
No ta b ly, t he ~intern ation al h~m &ni_tarian la w in its
initia l stage s of
~e~~l opme nt was c?ncerne<l rnwnl y wi th the prote ction
1lus trend h as contm _u ed throu gh ou t the period of World of war victim s.
War I. Howe ver,
in 1919 the L~a gue of Red Cross Socie ty was organist<>d
with a mand ate to
provi de ass ista n c e to the victim s of n a t u r al
calam ities on an
intern ation al b asis 5 Th is has added n ew dimen sions
inte rnati onal huma nita rian law. to the scope of
The p eriod imme diately after the end of Secon d World
descr ibed as epoc h m a king from the view point of War may be
the devel opme nt of
intern ati on al huma nitar ia n law becau se of t he
fac t t hat four new
in tern ation al hum a nitari an instru ment s , i. e. , four
Gene va Conv ention
of 1949 were evolv ed durin g this perio d. These Conv
entio ns have been
desiw ied to cove r vario u s class es of perso ns , such as
the woun ded and
sick in Arme d force s in the Field, the Woun ded, Sick
and Shipw ricked
Mem bers of Arme d F orces a t Sea, Priso ners of War
and the Civili an
Pe rson s in time of war and t o provi de them prote
ction in vario us
vulne ra b le si tuatio ns and safeg uard their intere sts.
Not only this , these
Conv en t ions h ave impo sed corre spond ing respo nsibil
ities and dutie s
upon the p a rti e s t o the confl ict, upon the prote
cting powe r, the
Inte r n a tio n a l Com m i t tee of Red Cros s , other
huma nitar ian
organ isa tion a n d to certa in exten t upon the neutr
al Stc;1tes also. Two
Addit ional Proto cols were added to t hese Conv entio
ns in 1977. The
Proto c ol I relate s to the prote ction of victim s of
intern ation al arme d
confl icts and the Proto col II d eals with the prote ction
of victim s of non-
intern ation al arme d co nflict s.
In addit ion . the United Natio ns has adopt ed a Conv
entio n in 19~1
con cerni ng t h e p rohi b itions or restri c~ion s on
~he _use of certa in
conve n tiona l w eapo ns . T h e pw-po se ~f this Conv entio
n 1s to protec ~ the .
huma n b e ings from the weap ons which are very cn1el
and exces sively
injur ious in effect . With it the ment ion _m~y als~ be
made of the Proto c?l
of l 925 prohib iting the use of asphy xiatin g p01so nous
or_other gases m
war and b acter io logic al m e thods of war~ ~e and
Con vent ion of also of the ~N
1977 on the Prohi bition of_ Mihta ry or any other Hosti le
use of Envir onme ntal Modi fication Techr uque .

5. Ib id. P. S.
 38 6 HU MA N RIGHTS

Pr ot ec tio n of D ef en ce
le ss . in war .- T he u~
na m e Iy l1.1 the Geneva Convent10n for th e AmF~ ~e ne va Conven ns
eh01at1on of th e Condlio
of th e \\f ou nd ed an d . i' t• ,
Sick M em be ~s of _Arm e d F . h . ion
Ge va Co nv en tio n
for th e A m eh or at io n of or ce s 11? _t e Fi el d (ii} the
Sic~ean d Sh ip w re ck ed th e Cond1t10n of Wou
M em be rs of Armed F~ nd d
Co nv en tio n relative to rc es at Se a (iii) th e Gene
th ~a
G en ev a Co nv en tio n re e Tr ea tm en t of Pn ~o ne rs o~ ~ ar an d (iv)
la tiv e to th e Pr ot ec t1 the
Time of war, ar e in sp ire 0n
d by re sp ec t for hu m an of Ci vi lia n Pe rs on s i
Together "they es ta bl is pe rs on al ity an d dignityn
h th e pr in ci pl es of di si
of W ar w ith ou t di sc ri nt er es te d ai d to all victim
m in at io n- to al l th os ~
w ou nd s,. ca pt ur e or e w ho , w ~e th er throug
shiI,•vreck, ar e no lo h
suffering an d de fe nc el es ng er en em ie s bu t mer
s hu m an be in gs . "6 ely
Th e fo ur G en ev a C on
following fo ur ca te go rie ve nt io ns of 19 49 de
s of de fe nc el es s hu m an al re sp ec tiv el y with
si ck in ar m ed fo rc es in be in gs (i) w ou nd ed and
th e field ; [ii) w ou nd ed
ar m ed forece at se a; (iii si ck an d sh ip w re ck ed
) pr is on er s of w ar an d in
[iv) civilians.
I. Pr ot ec tio n of Wou
nd
Fil-st Geneva C on ve nt ed and Sick in Armed Fo rc es in th e Fi el d.
io n. -T he fir st G en ev a -
th e fu nd am en ta l pr in Co nv en tio n ha s followe
ci d
de fe nc eJ es s- co m ba ta nt pl es th at "w ou nd ed or si ck -a nd therefor
s sh al l be re sp ec te d an e
th ei r na tio na lit y. Pe rs on d ca re d for, whatever
ne be
sh el te r an d th e eq ui pm l at te nd in g th em , th e bu ild in gs in which th
en t us ed for th ei r bene ey
re d cr os s on a white gr
ou nd sh al l be th e emblemfit, sh al l be protected. A
Pe rs on s w ho are en of th is immunity."7
C on ve nt io n. -A rt ic le ti tl ed to be pr ot ec
12 of th e Fi rs t G en ev te d un de r th e First
following two ca te go rie
s of pe rs on s who sh&ll a Co nv en tio n m en tio ns
in all ci rc um st an ce s. be re sp ec te d an d protec
ted
(a) th e w ou nd ed an d si
ck m em be rs of ar m ed fo
[b) th e w ou nd ed rces, an d
an d si ck pe rs on s pu t
m em be rs of th e ar m ed on th e
forces w hi ch in cl ud es8 : sa m e footing as
(1) M em be rs of m ili
tia s or vo lu nt ee r co rp s
ar m ed forces forming pa rt of the
{2) M er nb er s 0f ot he
r m ili tia s an d rn em be
co rp s, in cl ud in g th os rs of
e of or ga ni se d re si st ot he r volunteer
belongtng to a Pa rty to an ce movements
th
th ei r own te rr ito ry prov e conflict an d op er at in g in or outside
ided th ey fulfil following
(al th at th ey ar e be in conditions.
g co m m an de d by a pe
su bo rd in at e; rs on re sp on si bl e for his
(b) th at they have a fix
ed distinctive si gn reco
(c) th at th ey carry ar m gnised at a distance;
s openly; an d
[d) th at they co nd uc t
th
an d cu st om s of war. ei r op er at io ns in ac co rd an ce w ith th e laws
(3) Members of re gu
la r
G ov er nm en t or an au ar m ed forces w ho pr of es s allegianc~ t? a
power , th or ity no t re co gn is ed by
th e detauung

6. Th e Ge ne va Con ve ~ti·
In ter na tio na l Committon of Au gu st 12 , 19 49 , rep rin ted un de · of
ee of the Red Cr os s. Ge r the au sp cie s
7. Ibid . P. 8. ne va Ju ly 19 70 , P. 1.
Til e Fi rst Ge ne va Conv .
8. ent.lon of 1949, Article
13 .
 INTERNATIONAL HUMANITA RIAN LAW 387
(4J Persons who accompan y the armed forces without bein g
m e mber there of. such as civil members of military aircrn ft
crews, war correspon dents, supply contracto rs, members of
labour units or of services responsib le for the welfare of the
armed forces, provided that they have received authorisa tion
from the armed forces which they accompan y.
(5) Members of crews, including masters, pilots and apprentic es,
of the merchant marine and the crews of civil aircraft of the
Parties to the conflict, who do not benefit by more favourabl e
treatmen t under any other provision s in internatio nal law; and
(6~ Inhabitan ts of a non-occu pied territory who on the approach
of the enemy spontaneo usly take up arms to resist the invading
forces, without having had time to form themselve s into regular
armed units, provided that they carry arms openly and respect
the laws and customs of war.
Protectio n and care.-Art icle 12 of the First Geneva Conventio n, lays
down following protection s and care to be provided to wounded and sick.
1. Persons belonging to the categories mentione d above shall be
treated humanely and cared for by the Party to the conflict in whose
power they may be, without any adverse distinction founded on sex, race,
nationalit y, religion, political opinions, or any other similar criteria;
2. Any attempts upon their lives, or violence to their persons, shall
be strictly prohibite d, in particular , they shall not be murdered or
extermina ted, subjected to torture or to biological experimen ts;
3. They shall not wilfully be left without medical assistance and care,
nor shall condition s exposing them to contagion or infection be created.
4. Women shall be treated with all conside!"a tion due to their sex; and
5. The party to the conflict which is compelled to abandon wounded
and sick to the enemy shall, as far as military considera tions permits,
leave with them a part of its medical personnel and materials to assist in
their care.
Other Protectio n and safeguard s.-From Chapter m to Chapter VI of
the First Geneva Conventio n of 1949, deals with certain protection s and
safeguar ds concerni ng Medical Units Establish ments, Medical
Personne l and Chaplain s, Medical Equipmen t, Transpar ent vehicles,
etc. These may be discussed as follows :
1. Fixed establish ments and mobile medical units of the medical
s~rvice may in no circumsta nces be attached, but shall at all time be
respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict. Should they fall
in to the hands of the adverse party, their personne l shall be free to
pursue their duties as long as the capturing power has not itself ensured
the necessary care of the wounded and sick found in such establishm ents
and units.
2. Hospital ships entitled to the protection of the Geneva Conventio n
for the Ameliora tion of the Conditio n of Wounded , Sick -and
Shipwrec ked Members of Armed Forces at Sea shall not be attached
from land. ·
3 . Medical personne l exclusive ly engaged in the search for, or the
collection , transport or treatmen t of the wounded or sick, or in the
preventio n of disease. staff inclusivel y engaged in the administr ation of
 H1.l MA N Rl OH TS

._ ' t"" ,,n d t>s tol> lish 1n{ 'nts . as \\1t:~11

t lll.' dH ., 1 ss.
sha ll l)(> r~~l"X'Cted a nd pro tec d · c hllap·la ins ut t ach t.' d
\.HH .:, •
_.;i c-,.. ...~ _
-\ nn ~u ,L' UI "'"'~ ' ~ ..,- t e- in B C.UT Un \ s t m 1c-e s to
·
4 _ Me_nlb t-' t-S c,f the An ued Fo rce s s pe da lly tra i n ed •

sho uld tlle ne ~d ari for c.m p \oy n1e.n

se as ho spi tal
h~ bea rer s, in the sea rch fur or ord erl ies : nu rse s or a uxH lia ry str et~:
th~ collec tio n . tra nsp ort or trc
the wo un ded an d sic k sha ll lik -au nen t of
ew ise be res ~e cte d an d pro tec
the y are c arr yin g ou t the se ted whUe
du tie s at the tun e wh en the
cor ita ct wi th the ene n1y or fall int y c a1ne int
o
fal len int o the ha nd s of the ene n1y his ha nd s. _Th ose ~o nn el wh o ha,~
. sha ll be pn so ne rs ot _w ar. bu t
em plo yed in the ir 1ne dic al ciu tie sha ll be
s in so far as the ne ed an ses .
5. Th e ma te. iia ls of mo bil e n1e
dic al un its of the Ar me d Fo rce
fal l int o the ha nd s of the ene s wh ich
my . sha ll be res erv ed for the
wo un ded an d sic k. car e of
Th e bu ild ing s. ma te. iia ls an d sto
of the Ar me d Fo rce s sha ll rem res of fi.xed 1ne dic al est abl ish nie
ain sub jec t to the law s of wa r. nts
be div ert ed fro m tha t pu rpo se bu t may not
as lon g as the y are req uir ed for
sow 1d ed an d sic k. the car e of
6. Me dic al air cra ft, tha t is to
say , air cra ft exc lus ive ly em plo
the rem ov al of wo un de d an d yed for
sic k an d for the tra ns po rt of
pe rso nn el an d equ ipm ent , sh all me dic al
no t be att ack ed , bu t sha ll be res
the bil lig ere nts . wh ile fl) ing at pec ted by
hig hts , tim es an d on rou tes spe
ag ree d up on bet we en the bel lig cifi cal ly
ere nts con cer ned .
7 . Re pri sal s, ag ain st the wo
equipme...--it pro tec ted by the Co
un de d. sic k , pe rso nn el , bu ild
nv ent ion are pro hib ite d. ing s or
Se arc h for cas ua liti es an d ev
Co nv en tio n of 19 49 , im po ses acu ati on .-A rti cle 15 of the Fir st Ge nev a
ob lig ati on s up on the Pa rti es
the con flic t to tak e cer tai n me asu inv olv ed in
wo un de d or sic k. Th e 'Pa rtie s to res to en sur e pro tec tio n an d car e to the
the con flic t are enj oin ed to tak
del ay, all po ssi ble me asu res ; e, wit hou t
(i) to sea rch for an d col lec t
the wo w~ ded an d sic k;
(ii) to pro tec t tl1 em ag ain st,
pil lag e an d ill- tre atm ent ;
(iii} to en su re the ir ad eq ua te
car e;
(iv) to sea rch for the de ad an d pre
ven t the ir bei ng des poi led .
Wh ene ver , cir cu ms tan ces pe rm
it, an arm ist ice or a sus pe nsi on
sh all be arr an ge d, or loc al arr of fire
an ge me nts ma de , to pe rm it the
ex ch an ge an d tra ns po rt of the rem ova l.
wo tu1 ded lef t on the bat tle fie ld.
loc al arr an ge me nts ma y be co Likewise,
nc lud ed be tw een Pa rti es to the
the rem ov al or ex ch an ge of con flic t for
wo
en cir cle d are a , an d for the pa ssa un de d an d sic k fro m a bes ieg ed or
ge cf me dic al an d rel igi ou s per
an d eq uip me nt on fr.1eir wa y to son nel
tha t are a.
Pr esc rip tio ns , reg ard ing th e de
Pa rti es to the con flict sha ll en
ad , Gr av es Re gis tra tio n Se rv ice .-
su re tha t bu ria l or cre ma tio n
car rie d ou t ind ivi du all v as far of
as cir cu ms tan ces pe rm its how the dt!3:~
or cre ma tio n sha ll be pre ced ed eve r, bu n
by a car efu l exa mi nat ion , if ~i
me dic al exam.i.i.--iation. of the bl e b~
bo die s, wi th a vie w to con firm
est ab lis hin g ide nti ty an d en ab .mg dea '
lin g a rep ort to be ma de . On e
do ub le ide nti ty ilis c , or the ide _h alf of !~
nti ty dis c its elf if it is a ~in gle
rem ain on the bo dy . dis c, sho
 INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW 389

It is provided under Article 1 7 of th e Firs t Gen eva Conve ntion that

bodies shall n o t b e cremated except for imperative r easons of h ygiene or
for motives based on the r eligion of th e d ecea sed. In case of cr emation ,
the circumstances and r ea s ons for cremation shall be s ta ted in d etail in
the death certj.ficate or on the authenticated lis t of th e d ead.
The Parties to the conflic t shall further ensure that the dead are
honourably inte1red, if pos sible a ccordin g to the rites of the religion t o
which they belonged, th.at their grave are respected, grouped if pos sible
according to the nationality of the deceased, properly maintained and
marked so that they may always be found. For this purpose the Parties to
conflict shall organise at the commencement of hostilities an official
Graves Registration Service, to allow subs equ ent exhumations and to
ensure the identification of bodies, whatever the s ide of the graves, and
L,e possible transportation to the home country. These p rovisions shall
iikewise apply to the ashes, which shall b e kept b y the Graves
Registration _S ervice until proper disposal ther eof in a ccordance with the
wishes of the home country. -
As soon a$ circ umstances p~rmit, and at la test at t..h.e end of
hostilities, the _official Graves Registration Sen,ic es shall e xchange
through the Prisoners of War Information Bu reau lists s howi..ng the exact
location and m~kings of the graves together with particulars of the dead
interred thereiri. -
II. Protection of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked in Anned Forces at
Sea. The Second Geneva Conv,mtion 1949.- :The S econd Geneva
Conve_n tion is called the maritime Conven tion is the extension of the
First Geneva Conven tion. It applies the terms of the First Convention -to
the - maritime warfare. The general plan of this Second Convention
covers the same field and protects the same categories of persons as the
First. 9
Persons entitled for protection and care.-Article 12 of the Second
Geneva Convention protects the shipwrecked in addition to the wounded
and sick. It lays down that (i) Members of the Armed Forces and (ii} the
persons put on the same footing as Members of Armed Forces shall be
respected and protected in all circumstances if : ·
(a) they are at sea; and
(b) they are wounded, sick or shipwrecked. The term "shipwreck"
means shipwreck from any cause and includes forced landings at
sea by or from aircraft,
Persons put on the same footing as Members of Armed Forces are
described under Article 13 of the Second Convention and includes.
1. Members of militia or volunteer corps forn1ing part of Armed
Forces;'
2. Members of other militias a11d Members of other voluntee r corps,
including those of organised :re sistanc e movements , belo nging t o
a Party to the conflict and operating in or outs ide their own
terri tcry: provided

9. S u pra N. 6 . P . 10.
- !

390 HU MA N RIG HT S

(a) Th ey are bei ng cor nm and ed by

a per son res pon sib le for his \
sub ord ina tes .
(b) Th ey hav e a fix ed dis tin cti ve sig \
n rec ogn isa ble at a dis tan ce·
(c) Th ey car ry arm s ope nly ; .
(d) Th ey con du ct the ir op era tio ns '
in acc ord anc e wit h the :a'vvs
and cus tom s of Wa r.
3. Me mb ers of regu~.1l arm ed for
Go ver nn1 ent or an aut ho rity no t rec ces wh o pro fes s all egi anc e to
ogn ise d by the det ain ing pow er;
4. Pe rso ns wh o acc om pan y the arm a
me mb er the reo f, suc h as civ il me ed for~e_s with<;>ut act ual ly being
mb ers of m1 hta ry air cra ft cre ws ,
cor res po nd ent s, sup ply con tra cto war
rs, me mb ers of lab ou r un its or
ser vic es res po nsi ble for the we lfa of
re of the arm ed for ces , pro vid ed
the y hav e rec eiv ed aut ho ris ati on tha t
fro rn the arm ed for ces wh ich the
acc om pan y; y
5. Me mb ers of cre ws , inc lud ing ma
the me rch ant ma rin e an d the cre ste rs, pil ots an d app ren tic es,
w of civ il air cra ft of the Par tie s to of
con flic t wh o did no t ben efi t by mo the
re fav ou rab le tre atm ent , un der any
oth er pro vis ion s of int ern ati on al law
; an d .
6. Inh abi tan ts of a no n-o ccu pie d
the ene my , spo nta neo usl y tak e up ter rito ry wh o, on the app roa ch of
wi tho ut hav ing ha d tim e to for m arm s to res ist the inv adi ng forces
the ms elv es int o reg ula r arm ed uni ,
prc vid ed the y car ry an ns ope nly ts,
wa r. an d res pec t the law s an d cus tom
s of
Pr ote cti on an d ca re. -T he
un de r fol low ing fou r hea din gs: pro tec tio n an d car e ma y be dis cus sed
(a) Pro tec tio n of wo und ed, sic k an
d shi pw rec ked ;
(b) Pro tec tio n of hos pit al shi
ps an d oth er cra ft;
(cl Pro tec tio n of me dic al per son nel ,
an d
(d) Pro tec tio n of me dic al tra nsp ort
.
(a! Pr ote cti on of Wounded, Sic k an
d Sh ipw rec ked :
1. Wo un ded , sic k an d shi pw
rec ked are en titl ed to be tre ate
hu ma ne ly an d car ed for by the
Pa rtie s to the con flic t in wh ose pow d
the y ma y be:, wi tho ut an y adv er
ers e dis tin cti on ba sed on sex ,
nat ion ali ty, rel igi on, pol itic al op ini rac e,
on s, or an y oth er sim ila r cri ter ia;
2. Th ey are ent itle d to be pro tec
ted ag ain st an y att em pt up on the
liv es, or vio len ce to th~ ir pe ir
rso ns. Th ey sh all no t be mu rde
ext erm ina ted , sub jec ted to tor tur red
e or to bio log ica l exp eri me nts ;
3. Th ey are ent itle d for me dic al
ass ist an ce an d car e. Th ey sha ll not
wi lfu lly be lef t wi tho ut me dic
al ass ist an ce an d car e, no r sha
con dit ion s exp osi ng the m to con ll
tag ion or inf ect ion cre ate d.
4. Wo me n sha ll be tre ate d wit h all
con sid era tio n du e to the ir sex;
5. Th e Wo un ded , sic k an d shi pw
ene my ha nd s are , bes ide s bei ng rec ked of a bel lig ere nt wh o fall _~t~
giv en abo ve tre atm en ts als o are ent
to be tre ate d acs Pri son ers of Wa r. it e
Ce rta in du tie s are im po sed up on
up on Ne utr al Po we rs in ord er to the Pa rtie s t0 the con flic t ~~/ 1~~
saf eg ua rd the res pec t and dig ni
y
 INTERNAT IONAL HUMANITARI/\N LAW 391

shipwreck e d, wounded, s ic k and d ead p e rsons. These are, for jnstances,

as follows :
(1 l Parties to the conflict s hall, afte r e ach engagement a n d without
delay• take a ll possible measures to Sf':.trch for and collect the
ship~ecked, wounde d and sick to !)rntect them against pillage
and ill-treatment, to ensure their adequate care and to search for
the dead and prevent their being dispoiled.
(2 ) Whenever, circumstances permits, the Parties to the conflict
shall conclude local arrangements for the removal of the
wounded and sick by sea from a besieged or encircled area and for
the_Passage of medical and religious per sonnel and equipment on
their way to that area.
(3) The Parties to the conflict are under an obligation to record in
respect of each shipwrecked, wounded, sick or dead person of the
adverse party falling into their hands, any particulars which
may assist in his identifications. These information should be
forwarded through the Prisoners of War Information Bureau
which shall transmit this info!"mation to the Power on '"':1ich
these persons depend through the intermediary of the Protecting
Power and of the Central Prisoners of War Agency.
(4) The Parties to the conflict shall ensure that burial at sea of the
dead, carried out individually as far as circumstances permit, is
preceded by a careful examination, if possible by a medical
examination,of the bodies, with a view to confirming death,
establishing identity and enabling a report to be made.
(5) The Parties to the conflict may appeal to the c harity of
commanders of neutral merchant vessels, yachts or other craft to ·
take on board and care for wounded, sick or shipwrecked persons,
and to collect the dead. Such neutral merchant vessels, yachts or
other craft shall enjoy special protection and facilities to
carryout such assistance.
(6) The Neutral Powers shall be under duty to guard that wounded,
sick and shipwrecked taken on board of its warship or military
aircraft could not take part in operation of war.
(b) Protection of hospital ships and other craft.-Chapter III of the
Second Geneva Convention deals with protection of hospitals and
medical establishments. These protections may be discussed as follows :
I. Military hospital ships may in no circumstances be attacked or
captured. It shall be respected and protected at all times, on the
condition that their names and descriptions have been notified
to the Parties to the conflict ten days before those ships are
employed. Military hospital ships mean ships buiJt or equipped
by the Powers specially and solely with a view to assisting t he
wounded, sick and shipwrecked, to treating them and to
transporting them.
2. Medical establishments ashore shall be protected from
bombardment or attack from the Sea.
3. Hospital ships utilised by National Red Cross Societies. b y
officially recognised r elief societies o r by private p ersons of
Parties to conflic t shall have the same protection as m ilita n ·
-· HUMAN RIG HT S
39 2
h ital sh ip an d sh all be ex em
f~~) pt from ca pt ur e, provid ed
following two co nd i~ on s th ,
ll) th e Party_ to th e conflict
wh ich the y de pe nd ha s giv
en th em an official Co mm ~~
th at th eir na m es an d de iss ion (' i

4. Ho sp ita l sh ip s uti lis ed

sc
Pa rti es to th e conflict ten da rip tio n ha ve be ~n no tif ied to
ys before th es e sh ip s ar e
employed.
t~!
by Na tio na l Re d Cr os s So
rec og nis ed relief so cie tie s, cie tie s, offieia]}y
or pr iva te pe rso ns of ne ut
sh all ha ve sa m e pr ot ec tio ra l
n as mi lit ar y ho sp ita l sh ip countn~
be ex em pt fro m ca pt ur e, s an d sh :
on co nd iti on (i) th at th ey
the ms elv es un de r th e co nt ha ve placed
ro l of on e of th e Pa rti es to
wi th th e pr ev iou s co ns en t th e conflict
of th eir ow n go ve rn me nt s
au th or isa tio n of th e Pa rty an d with the
to
th eir na m es an d de sc rip tio th e co nf lic t co nc er ne d, an d (ii) that
n
th e conflict ten da ys before ha ve be en no tif ied to th e Parties to
th os e sh ip s ar e em plo ye d.
5. Sm all cr af t em plo ye d by
th e St ate or by th e officiall
lif eb oa t in sti tu tio ns for y recognised
co as ta l re sc ue op er at io
re sp ec ted an d pr ot ec ted ns
as fa r as op er ati on al re sh all be
pe rm it, pr ov ide d (i) th at th qu
eir na rn es an d de sc rip tio ns ire me nt s
no tif ied to th e Pa rti es to th ha ve been
e co nf lic t te n da ys be fo re
ar e em plo ye d an d (ii) th at th os e crafts
th e pa rty to th e co nf lic t on
de pe nd ha s given th em an wh ich they
official co mm iss io n.
6. 1h e fixed co as tal in sta lla
tio ns
th ei r hu m an ita ria n m iss us ed exclusiv~ly by th es e craft for
io ns sh al l al so be re sp
pr ote cte d. ec ted an d
7. Pr ot ec tio n of sic k- ba
ys . Sh
wa rsh ip , th e_sic k- ba ys sh ou ld fig ht in g oc cu r on bo ar d a
all be re sp ec te d an d sp ar
po ssi ble . Si ck ·ba ys an d th ed as far
eir eq ui pm en t sh all re ma in
th e law of wa rfa re, bu t ma su bje ct to
y no
long as th ey ar e re qu ire d for t be div ert ed fro m th eir pu rp os e so
th e wo un de d an d sic k. Ne
th e co mm an de r in to wh os vertheless,
e po we r th ey ha ve fal len
en su rin g th e pr op er '!a re ma y, after
of th e wo un de d an d sic
ac co mm od ate d th er ein , ap k who are
pl y th em to ot he r pu rp os
ur ge nt mi lit ary ne ce ss ity . es in ca se of
8. Any ho sp ita l sh ip in
a po rt wh ich fa lls in to th
en em y sh aJ l be au th or ise d e ha nd s of the
to lea ve th e sa id po rt.
9. M ili tar y ho sp ita l sh ip s,
ho sp ita l sh ip s ut ili se d by
Cr os s So cie tie s, by· offic Na tio na l Red
ially
pr iva te pe rso ns an d co as tal re co gn ise d rel ief so cie tie s or by
I. re sc ue cr af t sh all no t be
wa rsh ip s as re ga rd s th eir sta cla sse d as
y in a ne ut ra l po rt.
10. M er ch an t ve ss els wh
ich ha ve be en tra ns fo rm
sh ip s ca nn ot be pu t to an ed in to ho sp ita l
y ot he r us e th ro ug ho ut th
ho sta lit ies . e du rat ion of
Ri gh t of Contro l and Se ar ch .-T he Pa rti es
th e rig ht to co nt ro l an d to th e conflict sh all h~ve
se ar ch mi lit ar y ho sp ita l
ut ili se d by Na tio na l Re d sh ip s, hosp_ital sh i~
Cr os s So cie tie s, by offici
so cie tie s or by pr iva te pe ally rec og ru se d reli
rso ns an d co as tal re sc ue cra
Th e Pa rti es to th e co nf lic ft.
t ca n re fu se as sis tan ce fro
or de r th em off, ma ke th em m th es e ve s~
tak e, a cer~ain. co ur se , co ntr
wi re les s ru.'1.d ot he r me&ns
of co mm ur uc ati on s an d ev ol th~ us e of for a
en de tai n the m

r
 INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW 393

period not exceeding seven days from the time of interuption if the
gravity of the circumstances so requires. ·
The Parties to the conflict may put a Commissioner temporarily on
board whose s.ole task shall be to see thal orders given (as mentioned
above) are earned out.
(cl Protectio~ of medical personnel.-Chapter IV of the Second
Gene_va Co~wenhon de-:iJs with the protection of the personnel of
hospital ships. and medical and religious personnel of other ships'.-
These may be discussed as follows :--
1. Protection of the personnel of hospitalshJp.-
(a) The rel~gious, medical and hospital personnel of hospital ships
and their crews shall be respected and protected;
(b) T~1ey may n_ot be captured during the time they are in the service
of the hospital ship, whether or not there are wounded and sick
on board.
2. Protection of medical and religious personnel of other sbips.-
(a) The. re.ligious,_ ~edical and hospital personnel assigned to
medicru , or spmtual care of the wounded, sick and shipwrecked.
shall , if they fall into the hands of the enemy, be respected and
protected. ·
(b) Such personnel may continue to carryout their duties as long as
this is necessary for the care of the wounded and sick. Afterwards
they shall be sent back as soon as the Commander-in-Chief,
under whose authority they are, considers it practicable.
(c) Such personnel may take with them, on leaving the ship, their
personnel property.
"' {d) Some of these personnel may, however, be retained owing to the
medical and spiritual needs of Prisoners of War. In such cases.
everything possible shall be done for their earliest possible,
landing. On landing., they shall be entitled for protection under
First Geneva Convention.
(d) Protection of medical transport.-Chapter V of the Seem._ :-~Geneva
Convention deals with the protection of ships used for the conveyance of
medical equipment, medical aircraft etc. These may be discussed as
follows :
(a) Ships used for the conveyance of medical equipment.-The ships
chartered for the purpose of transporting medical equipments shall be
authorised to transport such equipment exclusively intended for the
treatment of wounded and sick members of armed forces or for the
prevention of disease. provided that the particulars regarding their
voyage have been notified to the adverse Po~er and approved by ~e
later The adverse Power shall preserve the nght to board the earner
ship~, but not to capture them nor to seize the equipment carried.
By agreement amongst the Parties to the conflict. neutral observers
may be placed on board such ships to verify the equipment carried. For
this purpose, free access to the equipment shall be given.
 HUM AN R IG H TS

(b) Me dic al au cra fl.-

. al i aft or ru rcraft
(1) Med ic da drcrs 1'ck or shi pw recexc
ked
lus ive ly employed for the rem
, and for th e tra nsport of medic ova l
of wo un e • al
per son ne1 and equ ipm ent ma y not e o b~ec
b ' t of a t ta c k
.
h me dic al airc raf t sha ll be res
2 5 pec ted by the Par ties
( ) c~~ flic t, wh ile flyi ng
at hei ght s, at tim ~s a n d on to the
spe cifi cal ly agr eed upoi:1 bet we rou tes
con cer ned . Ho we ver , flig hts ove en the Par tie s to the co~ ct
r
terr itor y are prc hib ited unl ess agr ene my ? r ene my -oc cup ied
eed oth erw ise.
(3) Me dic al airc raf t sha ll obe
y eve ry sum mo ns to alig ht on lan
wa ter. In the eve nt of hav ing C . ..is .l or
occ upa nts ma y con tinu e its flig ht to alig ht, ~e ~ rcr ~ t wit h the
afte r exa min atio n, if any ,
(4) In the eve nt of alig htin
g inv olu nta
or ene my -oc cup ied terr itor y, the rily on lci1;1d or wat e~ in ene my
as well as the cre ws of the airc rafwo und ed, s1~k and shi pw rec ked ,
t sha ll be Pri son ers of Wa rs.
Ho wev er, it is req uir ed und er
Co nve nti on tha t the y sha ll be Art icle 39 of the Sec ond Ge nev
cle a
~m ble m of the red cro ss on a wh arly ma rke d wit h the dis tinc tive
nat ion al col our s, on the ir low er, ite bac kgr oun d tog eth er wit h the ir
upp er and late ral sur fac es. The y
pro vid ed wit h any oth er mad-:-ings als o ma y be
·; wh ich ma y be agr eed upo n bet we or me ans of ide nti fic atio n
en the Par ties to the con flic t upo
out bre ak or dur ing the cou rse of n the
hos tilit ief; .
(c) Fli ght ove r Neutral Countrie
the Sec ond Ge nev a Co nve ntio n s. : Landing of Wo und ed. -Ar ticl e 40 of
flig ht of me dic al ai·:c raf t ove r lay s dow n pro vis ion s reg ard ing [i) the
neu tra l cou ntr ies and (ii} the lan
wo und ed. din g of
(i) Fli ght of me cU cal air cra
ft ove r neu tra l cou ntr ies .-M edi
air cra ft of the Par ties to the con cal
flic t ma y fly ove r the ter rito ry of
pow ers , lan d the reo n in cas e of nec neu tra l
sha ll giv en Ne utr al Pow ers pri or ess ity, or use it as a por t of cal l. The y
not ice of the ir pas sag e ove r the
terr itor y, and obe y eve ry sum mo
ns to alig ht on lan d or wa ter . Th sai d
be im mu ne fro m att ack oPl y wh ey will
en flyi ng on rou tes , at hei ght s
tim es spe cifi cal ly agr eed upo n bet and at
we en the Par ties to the con flic t
Ne utr al Pow er co1Lcemed. and the
Th e Ne utr al Pow ers , ma y, how eve
on the pas sag e or lan din g of me r, pla ce con dit ion s or res tric tio
ns
dic al air cra ft on the ir ter rito ry.
pos sib le con dit ion s or res tric tio Su ch
ns sha ll be app lied equ ally to all
to the con flic t. Par ties
(DJ Landing of Wo un ded .-T he wo
dis em bar ked wit h the con sen und ed, sic k or shi pw rec ked wh o
are
t of the loc al aut ho riti es on
ter rito ry by me dic al air cra ft sha neu tra l
ll be det ain ed by the Ne utr al
wh ere so req uir ed by int ern ati Pow er,
ona l law , in suc h a ma nn er
can no t aga in tak e pa rt in ope tha t the y
rat ion of wa r. Ho we ver , an agr
bet we en the Ne utr al Po we rs eem ent
an d Pa rtie s to con flic t ma y
oth erw ise . Th e cos t of the ir acc pro vid e
om mo dat ion an d int ern me nt
bor ne by the Pow er on wh ich the sha ll be
y dep end .
(III) Pro tec tio n of Pri son ers of
War : Th e Third Ge nev a Co nv ent
It is n ow wid e ly acc ept ed tha
t the Pri son ers of Wa r are no ion .-
t cri min als .
 INTE R N ATIO NAL H UMANlTARIAN LA W
3 95
They are m erely an en em y n o lo~1ger a ble to bear anns. As s u ch , they are
defen<::eless p_e~sons who are _e n titled to be respected and trea ted h umanly
while lI1 cap tiVIty a n d _to be libera ted at th e clos e of h ostilities . Io Keep io g
in rnind these requiremen ts the rules r egarding the p r otection of
prisone ~s of War are formulated in the form of the Third Gen eva
c onvent.ion 194 9. These rules may be discussed as follows :
Prisone~s of War.- Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention defines
the categories of persons entitled to be treated as Prisoners of War.
Prisoners of War are persons belonging to one of the following
categories, who have fallen into the power of the enemy :
1. Members of the_ ~ed forces of a Party to the conflict as well as
members of m1htias or volunteer corps forming part of such
armed forces.
2. ~emb~rs of other militias and members of other volunteer corps,
mcluding those of organised resistance movemen ts, belonging to a
Par~y to the c~mfli?t and operating in or outside their own
te:i:i~ory, even if this territory is occupied, provided that such
militias or volunteer corps, including such organised resistance
movements , fulfil the following conditions, [a) that of being
commanded by a person responsible for his subordinate s; (bJ that
of having a fixed distinctive sign recognisable at a dis tance; (c)
that of carrying arms openly; (d] that of conducting t heir
_o perations in accordance with the laws and customs of war.
3. Members of regular armed forces who profess allegiance to a
government or an authority not recognised by the Detaining
Power.
4. Persons who accompany the Armed Forces without actually being
members thereof, such as civilian members of military aircraft,
crews, war corresponde nts, supply contractors, members of labour
units or of services responsible for the welfare of the armed forces,
provided that they have received authorisatio n from the armed
forces which they accompany, who shall provide them for that
purpose with an identity card.
5. Members of the crews, including masters, pilots and apprentices ,
of the merchant marine, and the crews of civil aircraft of the
Parties to the conflict, who do not benefit by more favourable
treatment under any other provisions of internationa l law.
6. Inhabitants of a non-occupie d territory, who on the approach of
the enemy spontaneou sly ta~e up arms to resist il?-e invading
forces , without having had time to form themselves mto regular
armed units, provided they carry arms openly and respect the
laws and customs of war.
The Third Geneva Convention shall apply to the persons noted above
from the time they fall into the Power of enemy and until their final
release and repatriation . I I
General Protection of Prisoners of War.-Part II_ of th: T~d Gen:va
Convention {Article 12 to 16) deals with the essential pnnc1ples w h ich

10 . Supra n. 6 P. 12.
l I. The Third Geneva Convention. Article 5.
 i

39 6 HU MA N RI GH TS

. es an d in all p lac
sh al l a t all tin l _ es . go ve n1 th e tre ul m~
wa r . 1 2 Th e Pn so ne. rs of W ar ar e e nt itle d fu r foll o nt of Pr iso _n ers of
wi n g pr ot ec tio ns in
gen er al :
~,
(1) Pt1 s on er !:S, of w ar m u s t be h um a n ly tre at ed .
m ay be su bj ec~ed to .
. No Pr is o n e r& of Wa r
ph ys ic a l m u tl 11a t i? n ct ·
sc ie nt ifi c ex pc n m e nt
s. Mea su re s of rc pt 1s o r t~ m e 1ca l ~r
proh ib ite d 13 . a l a ga i n s t th em 18
(2) Priso ne rs of W ar
are en tit le d to re sp ec
th ei r ho no ur , wo m en sh t fo r th ei
al l be tre at ed wi th al l re r pe r so ns an d
se x. Th ey sh al l re ta in th ga rd du e to th eir
e full civ il ca pa ci ty wh
a t th e tim e of th ei r ca pt ic h th ey en joyed
ur e 14 •
(3} Th e Po we r de ta in in g Pr
iso
fre e of ch ar ge for th ne rs of W ar sh al l b e bo un d to pr ov id e
ei r m ai nt en an ce a n d
at te nt io n re qu ire d by th fo r th e m ed ic al
ei r st ate of he al th .
(4) All Pr is on er s of
W ar sh al l be tre at ed
Po w er , w ith ou t a n y al ik e b y
ad ve rs e di st in ct io n ba th e De ta in in g
na tio na lit y, re lig io us be se
lie f or po lit ic al op in io ns d on ra ce .
di sti nc tio n fo un de d on , or an y ot he r
sim ila r cr ite ria . 15
Pr ot ec tio n of Prisoners
Ger!eva Co nv en tio n de al of War under c~ ti vi
s wi th th e -p ro te c-f io rco1 ty .- Pa rt III of th e 'Third
ca pt iv ity . It is de vi de Pr
d in to si x se ct io ns . Fi is on er s of W ar un de r
in te rr og at io n of Pr is on rs t se ct io n de al s wi th
ev ac ua tio ns ; Se co nd se er s, pr op er ty of th e Pr is on er s an d th ei
ct r
in ca m p or du rin g tra io n de al s w ith living co nd iti on s for Pr iso ne rs
ns fe r, th e pl ac es an d
ac co m m od at io n, fo od m et ho ds of in te rn m en
an d cl ot hi ng , hy gi en e t,
m ed ic al an d re lig io us an
pe rs on ne l re ta in ed for d m ed ic al at te nt io n,
re lig io us ne ed s, in te
lle ct ua l an d ph ys ic al th e ca re of Pr is on er s.
Pr is on er s of W ar ra nk ac tiv iti es , di sc ip lin e,
s,
se ct io n de al s w ith Pr an d tra ns fe r af te r ar riv al in a ca m p; Th ird
is on er s' la bo ur
fin an ci al re so ur ce s of Pr is on er ; Fo ur th se ct io n de al s wi th
co rre sp on de nc e an d re lie s; Fi fth
f sh ip m en ts , an d Si xt h se se ct io n de al s w ith
an d di sc ip lin ar y pr oc ed ur 16 ct
e • Th es e m ay be di sc us io n de al s wi th pe na l
se d as fo llo ws :
J• Interrogation of Pr
is on er s.- Ev er y Pr iso
is bo un d-to "give orily
hi s su rn am e, fir st na m ne rs of W ar , w he n as ke d,
an d ar m y, re gi m en ta l, e an d ra nk , da te of bi rth
pe rs on al or se ria l nu ,
eq ui va le nt in fo rm at io n. m be r, or fa ili ng th is .
No ph ys ic al or m en ta l
fo rm of co er ci on m ay
be in fli ct ed on Pr is on er to rtu re , no r an y ot he r
th em in fo rm at io n of an s of W ar to se cu re from
y ki nd wh at ev er . Pr is on
an sw er m ay no t be th re er
at en ed , in su lte d, or ex po s of W ar wh o re fu se to
di sa dv an ta ge ou s tre at m se d to an y un pl ea sa nt or
en t of an y kind.1 7
2. Pr op e~ y of -th e Pr is on er s- A ll effects an d ar
ex ce pt an ns , ho rs es , m
re m ai n in th e po ss es si
ilitary eq ui pm en t an d m ili tic le s of pe rs on al us e,
on of Pr iso ne rs of W ar . ta ry do cu m en ts , sh al
M et al he lm et s, ga s m as l
ks ,
12 . Su pr a N. 6. P. 14.
13 . Th e 1b ird Ge ne va ! Co nv
en tilo n, Article 13.
14 . Ibi d, Article 14 .
15 . Ibi d Ar tic le 16 .
16 . Se c Su pr a . n . 6 p . 14- 15
17 . Th ird Ge ne va Co nv en tio .
n, Article l 7.
 INTERNATION I\L HUMAN ITARIAN LAW 397

othe~ article s ~or p e rsona l p rotec ti on , e ffects and articles used for
cloth.ing or feedmg shall remain jn their possession. even if such effects
and articles be long to thier regu lar military equjpment. Th e Pri&Jners of
W at· s hall have id entity documents. Swns of m oney carried by them may
not~ taken awa y from them except by an o rder of an officer , and in that
case it shall be recorded in a special r egister. I I:!
3. Evacuation of Prisoners.-Prisoners of War shall be evacuated as
soon as possible after their capture, to camps si t uated in an a rea far
enough from the combat zone . Those Prisoner$ of War, who c annot be
evacuated owing to their wounds or sickr1ess m ay be temporarily kept
back in a danger zone. 19
The evacuation of Prisoners of War shall always be effected humanw
and in conditions similar to those for the Forces of the Detain.ing Power
in their changes of station. 20
4. Pl~ces and conditions of intemment..-Prisoners of War may be
subjected to internment by the Detaining Power. The Prisoners of \Var
shall be obliged not to leave beyond certain limits, the camp where they
are interned, or if the said camp is fancied in, of not going outside of its
perimeter. However, Prisoners . of War -may not be held in close
confinement except where necessary to safeguard their health and then
only during the contin uation of the circumstances which make such
confinement necessary. 2 1 -

Prisioners of War may be intern~ only in premises located on land

and affording every guarantee of hygiene and healthfulness. Except in
particular cases whi~h are justified by the interest of the Prisoners
themselves, they shall not be-entered in penitentiaries. 22 ·
5. S~c_?ri tY- _oL~iisoners.-No Prisoners of War may~at any time be
sent to, or detained ip areas where he may be exposed to the fire of the
combat zone, nor may his presence be used to render certain points or
areas immune from _military operation. Prisoners of War shall have
shelters against air bon1bardment and other hazards of war, to the same
extent as the -local civilian population. 23
6. Accommodation, food and clothings of Prisoners of War.-
Accommodation.-Prisoners of War shall be lodged under conditions as
favourable as those for the Forces of the Detaining Power who are
lodged in-the same are~·-The pr~mises prq\1ded fo:
the use of Prisoners
of War individuaily or collectively shall oe _entirely protected from
dampness and aaequately heated and lighted. All precautions must be
taken agajnst the danger of fire. ,
In any cam.ps in which women Prisoners of War, as well as men, are
accommodated, separate dormitories shall be provided for them.24
Fpod: The Prisoners of War sh~ be pro~ded with ~e basic daily
food rations, sufficient in quantity, quahty and vanety to keep

18. Ibid. Article 18.

19. Ibid Article 1_9.
20. Ibid. Article 20.
21. Ibid. Article 21.
22 . Ibid Article 22.
23. Ibid Article 23.
24 . Ibid. Article 25.
1

398 HUMAN RIG HT S

. f w ·n good hea lth an d to pre ven t los
itio nal def icie nci es. Ac cou nts shas of we igh t or the
0
Pri so ner s t of~ u\r
d eve 1opm en ll als o be tak en of
the hab itu al die· t of the Pri son
ers . S uff
· ic1e
· nt drinkin" g
wa t ~r ...,ch; 11 be i--
sup pli ed to Pri son ers of War. Th e use
of tob acc o sha ll be pen rut ted 2 .
Clo thi ng : Clo thi ngs , un der ar
Prisoi1 ers-of Wa r in suf fic ien t quwe an d foo twe ar s~ ~l be supplied_ to
ant itie s by the De tai run g P~ we r
sha ll ma ke allo wa nce for the cli wh ich
ma te of the reg ion wh ere Pri ~o ner s
det ain ed. Th e reg ula r rep lac em ent
an d rep air of the abo ve art icl es sha
are
be ass ure d by the De tain ing Pow 26 ll
er.
CanteeDS : Ca nte ens sha ll be ins tal
of Wa r ma y pro cur e foo dst uff s, soa led in all cam ps, wh ere Pri son ers
p and tob acc o an d ord ina ry art icl
-the dai ly use . Th e pro fits ma de by es
the cam p can tee ns sha ll be use d for in
ben efi ts of Pri son ers of Wa r. A
spe cia l fun d sha ll be cre ate d for the
pu rpo se . Th e Pri son ers ' rep res thi s
ent ati ve sha ll ha ve the rig ht
col lab ora te in the ma nag em ent of to
the can tee n and of the fun d. 27
7. Hygiene and medical Attention :
~i en e : Th e De tai nin g Pow er sha
me asu res he ces sar y to en sur e ll be bo un d to tak e all san ita
the cle anl ine ss an d he alt hfu lne ry
cam ps, an d to pre ven t epi dem ss of
ics . Se par ate con ven ien ces sha
pro vid ed for bo th me n and wo me ll be
n. Ba ths an d sho we rs fac ilit ies sha
pro vid ed in eve ry cam p. Suf fic ien ll be
t wa
for a wa shi ng per son al lau nd ry sha ter an d soa p for per son al toi let and
ll also be pro vid ed. 28
Me dic al At ten tio n.- Ev ery cam p
(hospitai}wh ere Pnson ers of Wa r sha ll hav e an. ade qu ate inf irm ary
ma y hav e the att ent ion the y req
Iso lat ion wa rds sha ll, if ne ces ...~ uir e.
be set asi de for cas es of con tag ,io
me nta l dis eas e. Sp eci al fac ilit ies us or
sha ll be aff ord ed for the car e to
giv en to the dis abl ed, in pa rti be
cu lar to the bli nd , an d for
reh abi lita tio n, pen din g rep atr iat the ir
ion .
tho se of any ap pa rat us nec ess ary Th e cos ts of tre atm en t inc lud ing
for the ma int ena nce of Pri son ers
Wa r in goo d hea lth sha ll be bo
rne by De tai nin g Pow er. 29 of
Me dic al ins pe cti on s.- Me dic al ins
. be ma de at lea st onc e a mo nth
pec tio n of Pri son ers of Wa r sha ll
wi th a view to sup erv ise the gen era
of he alt h, nu tri tio n an d cle an lin l sta te
ess of Pri son ers an d to de te:
con tag iou s dis eas e, esp eci aJl y t
tub erc ulo sis , ma lar ia an d ven
dis eas e.30 ere al
8. Medical Pe rso nn el Re tai -ie d to
an d pri vil ege s of ret ain ed pe rso nn As sis t Pr iso ne rs of War. : Rights
el. -M em be rs of the me dic al per son
an d cha pla ins wh ile ret ain ed by nel
the De tai nin g Po we r wit h a vie
ass ist ing Pri son ers of Wa r, sha ll w to
no t be con sid ere d as Pri son ers
Th ey sha ll, how eve r, rec eiv e as of War.
a mi nim um the ben efi ts an d pro
of the pre sen t Co nv ent ion an tec tio n
d sha ll als o be gra nte d all fac
ne ces sar y to pro vid e for the me ilit ies
to Pri son ers of Wa r.31 dic al car e of, an d rel igi ou s mi nis
tra tio n

25. Ibid. Article 26.

26. Ibid Article 27 .
27. Ibid . Article 28.
28 . Ibid. Article 29.
29 . Ibid , Article 30 .
30. loid , Article 31.
3 1. Ibid . Article 33.

\
 \

lNTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW 399

9. Religious Intellectual and Physical Activitiea :

Religiou~ activitie_s .-Prisoners of War shall enjoy complete Jatit ude
in t1:1e exercise. of t1?-eir religious duties, including attendance a t the
s~r~1c~ of their_ faith , on condition that they comply with t he
d1sc11;>Imary routine prescribed by the military authorities . Adequat e
preIDJses shall be provided where religious services may be held. 32
Chaplains who fall into the hands of the enemy Power and who
remain or are retained with a view to assisting PrisC'ners of War, shall be
allowed to minister to them and to exercise freely their ministry
amongst Prisoners of War of the same religion, in accordance with their
religious conscience. 33
Prisoners of War who are ministers of religion, without having
officiated as chaplains to their own Forces, shall be at liberty, whatever
their denomination, to minister freely to the members of their
conum: nity. For this pwpose, they shall receive the sai-ne treatment as
the chap~ ains retained by the Detaining Power. They shall not be obliged
to do any other work. 34
In the absence chaplains of above two categories, i.e .. retained
chaplain or a Prisoners of War minister of religion, a qualified layman
shall be appointed at the request of the Prisoners of War. This
appointment, subject to the approval of the Detaining Power, shall take
place with the agreement of the community of Prisoners concerned and ,
whenever necessity, with the approval of the local religious authorities
of the same faith. 35
Intellectual and physical activities.-The Detaining Power shall
enco-vrage the practice of intellectual, educational, and recreational
pursuits, sports and games amongst prisoners and shall take tl-te
measures necessary to ensure the exercise thereof by providing them
with adequate premises and nece~sary equipment. 36

I I 0. Discipline : Every Prisoners of War camp shall be put under the

immediate authority of a responsible commissioned officer belonging to
the regular Armed Forces of the Detaining Power, Prisoners of War
except officers shall salute and show respect to the officers of the
Detaining Power. Officer Prisoners of War shall salute only officers of
37
higher rank and the camp commander.
The bearing of badges of rank and nationality, as well as a
38
decorations, shall be permitted.
The text of the present Convention and its Annexes and the contents
of any special agreements shall be posted, in the Prisoners own language
39
at places where all may read them.

32. Ibid. Article 34.

33. Ibid. Article 35.
34. Ibid. Article 36.
35. Ibid. Article 37.
36 . Ibid. Article 38.
37 . Ibid. Article 39.
38. lhid, Article 40.
39. fbid. Article 41 .
p 40 0
HU MA N RI GH TS

The us e of we ap on s ag ai ns t Pr is on er s o f War . es pe ct'a lly ag ai ns t

pt
who ar e esc~p•·ng orll at te m in g to es ca pe , sh al l co ns tit ut e an lhos~
always be pr ec eded by
m ea s ur e• which40s 11a w ar ni.ngs ap pr op ria teextre
t rn,
. un sta nc es . o th ..
cir ct of Prisoners of W ar .-O. d Pr i '
11. Ra nk ff ic er s ~ so ne rs
t dw of equiva]
st at us shallf b~ tre a~e r ith du e re ga rd to th ei r ra nk an d age41 . Sim.ii
th an officers an d Pr is on et\t
Pr iso ne rs o te da r .tho th e er s of eq ui va le nt statly,
shall be tre a re ga rd du e to th ei r ra nk an d ag
Wl e.42 atus
12 Transfer of Pr iso ne •
De rs of War af te r th eu ~ v
taiiting Power w he n de
ci de s to tr ~s fe r th e Pn a l in C a. m p. - lb
ta ke in to ac co un t th e
in te re st of Pr is o~ er s. so ne rs of war ShauI
ta ke n of th e cl im at ic A cc o~ nt sh al l always be
co nd
ac cu sto m ed an d th e co nd iti on s to w hi ch th ~ Pn so ne rs of War are
iti on s of tr ~ fe ~ sh al l m_
to th ei r he al th . They sh no ca se be prejudicial
al l be su pp lie d w ith ~u
water, ne ce ss ar y cl ot hi ng ffic1ex:it food an d drirJtin
an d m ed ic al at te nt io n du g
nn g transfer.43
Sick or w ou nd ed Pr is on
er s of W ar sh al l no t be
th ei r sa fe ty im pe ra tiv e de tra ns fe rr ed unless
m an ds . 44
In th e ev en t of tra ns fe
r, Pr is on er s of W ar sh al
of th ei r de pa rtu re an d of l be officially informed
th ei r ne w po st al ad dr es
th ei r luggage an d inform s, so th at th ey may pack
th ei r ne xt of kim. 45
13 . Labour of Prisone
la bo ur of Pr is on er s of W rs of War.-The D et ai ni ng Power m ay utilise the
th ei r age, se x, ra nk , an ar wh o ar e ph ys ic al ly _fit, ta ki ng in to account
d ph ys ic al ap tit ud e. N on
wh o ar e Pr is on er s of co m m is si on ed officers
W
w or k 46 • However, work ar sh al l on ly be re qu ire d to do supervisory
in
no t be of an un he al th y g _co nd iti on s m us t be su ita bl e; la bo ur should
la bo ur sh ou ld no t be ex o~ da ng er ou s na tu re_. th e du ra tio ? of th e daily
ce
be fixed an d th e fit ne sise, working pa y du e to Pr is on er s of War shall
ss
periodically verified by rr. of th e .P ns on er s ·of W ar -fo r w or k sh al l be
iedical ex am in at io n, ·a~ le
as t on ce a m on th .
14 . Fi na nc ia l Re so ur ce
m ay be allowed to ha ve s ilf Pr iso ne rs of War
ca sh mth ei r po ss es si on .- T he-F_risdners of War
of w hi ch sh al l be de te rm .·Th e m ax im um amount
ex ce ss sh al l be placed to in ed by th e D et ai ni ng Au th or ity . Any am ou nt
th ei r ac co ur it in
Pr ov isi on s ha ve al so
su pp le m en ta ry , an d wo be en m ad e for th e pa ym en t of ad va nc e of pay,
rk
ob lig at io n of th e D et ai ing pa y to th e Pr is on er s of. War. It sh al l be an
ni
m on th ly ad va nc e of pa ng Po w er s to gr an t al l Pr is on er s of War a
y
pr es en t Co nv en tio n. Su at th e ra te m en tio ne d in _th e Article 60 of the
pp
on w hi ch th e Pr is on er le m en ta ry pa y sh al l be gr an te d by th e Powers
s
De ~a in in g A ut ho rit ie s~at de pe nd . W or ki ng pa y sh al l be pa id by the
w hi ch sh al l no t be le th e ra te to be fixed by sa id D et ai ni ng Authority
w or ki ng da y. ss th an on e- fo ur th of
on e Sw is s fr an c for a
full

40 . Ibi d. Ar tic le 42 .
41 . Ibi d. Ar tic le 44 .
42 . Ibi d, Ar tic le 45 .
43 . Ibid Article 46 .
44 . Ibid. Article 47 .
45 . Ibid. Article 48 .
46 . Ibi d. Article 49 .
 INTERNATIONAL HUM/\NIT/\RIAN LA W
4 01
15. Protection of correspondence of .Priso
war shalJ b e enabled by the Dct . . ne~ of War.-A Prisoners of
capture but not more than week aft a 1nm~ Au t bority, immed iately after
his family and to the Central Pris er arn;al a l a camp, to write direct to
}1.is capture, address and state of h~~{t O War Agency a card informing
Prisoners of War shall be allowed · . .
and in certain circumstances tele r~o s e nd and. recewe lett~s. cards
deems it necessary to limit th g · However, if the Detammg Power
number shall not be less than twe nul mttbers of letters and c:ards. the sajd
.
Pr1soners o e ers and four cards monthly
. ct· .of War s hall be allowed to receive bv pos t or · an'· -~ o ther
means t· 1m 1v1dual, parcels • or co Jl ec t 1ve
· s h 1pments
' · J
containing in
pa~ ~cu ar, ood~tuffs, clothing, medical supplies, and articles ~f a
1

religmu~, educ_ational or recreational character which may meet their

n:ed~, n:icludmg books, devotional articles, s cientific equipmen t .
exam~aho~ papers, musical instruments, sports outfits and materials
all~w!1;g Pnsoner& of War to pursues their studies or their cultural
activities.
16. _Complaints_ of Prisons of War Respecting the Condition of
C~J?tivity .-The Prisoners of War have right to draw a ttention of the
military authorities in whose Powers they are or of the Protecting Power
to the. complaints regarding their conditions of captivity. Such
co1:1plamts must be trans~tted immediately and no punishment shall
be nnposed for-·making such complaints or even unfounded complaints.
1 7 • .The Right of Prisoners of War to Select Representatives.-The
Prisoners of War are entitJed to elect by secret ballot, every six months,
their :r::epresen~tives entrusted with representing them, before the
military · autho:t;ities, the Protecting Powers, the International
Comlllittee- ofc the Red Cr:oss and .any other organisation which may
assist them. In camps for officers, the senior officer among the Prisoners
of war shall be recqgnised-as~the camP' Prisoners representatives.
18. Penal and Disciplinary Sactions.- A Prisoner of War shall be
subject to the_Iaws·, regulations .and orders in force in the armed forces
of. the Detaining Power. i:_he Detaining Power shall be justified in taking
judicial _pr disciplinary mea$ures in re~pect of any offence committed
by a Prisoners~of War against such laws, regulations or order. However,
following protections shall be accorded to the Prisoners of War.
(i) No prisoner of-War-may ~e punished more than once for the same
- act or on the same charge;
-_(ii) Prisone~s of--War may not be sentenced by the military
authorities- and courts of the Detaining Power to any penalties
except Qlo~e provided fo,,. in respect of ~embers of the armed
forces of the said Powers who have comrrutted the same acts;
[iii) Prisoners of War who have made good their escape and who are
recaptured, shall not be liable to any punishment in respect of
their previous escape;
(iv) A Prisoner of War who attempts to escape and is ~ecaptured before
having made good his escape, shall be hable only to a
disciplinary punishment;
{v) Before any disciplinary award is pronounced, the accus_ed sha.ll
be given precise information regarding the offences of which he 1s
r --
.w 2 HU MA N RI GH TS

d . an op po rtu ty of expl
~. him~ves:lf. He sh al l ni
ac cu se dd in aining hi s co nd uct an
of. de fen g d to ha
an
be pe rm itt ed , in pa rt ic ul ar . to cact
w itn es se s ve re co ur se , 1·f ne ce ss n
qualified in te rp re te r. ar y t o th ·
e services o a
f
(vi ) sa m e pr ot ec
tion sh al l be ac co rd ed
in ca se of ju di ci al pr
R ep at ri at io n of Pr oceedings.
re pa tr ia tio n, Fi rs t re is on er s of W ar : Th er e_ ar e two_
ne ut ra l co un tr ie s du ri pa tr ia tio n an d ac co m m od at lo ~ ~f Pr is onnd s ?f
ki
ng ho st ili tie s an d se co
of ho st ili tie s. nd re pa tr ia tio n at th eer s in
close
Fi rs t re pa tr ia tio n
Th ro ug ho ut th e du and ac co m m od at io n in ne ut ra l co u~ tr
ra ie
en de av ou r, w ith th e tio n of h0 st ili tie s Pa rt ie s to th e co nf lic t s. -
ar ra ng em en ts for th e co op er at io n of th e ne ut ra she.JI
ac l Po ~e rs to
an d w ou nd ed Pr is on er co m m od at io n in N eu tr al co un tr ie s of th m ~ e
sh al l be re so rt ed to dus of War. Th us , re pa tr ia tio n to ne ut ra l co e sick
for th e welfare of th e ri ng th e pe rio d w he n ho st ili tie s ar e co ntun tr ie s
w ou nd ed an d si ck Pr is in ui ng
Si ck or in ju re d Pr
is on er of W ar m ay be on er s of W ar . However, no
du ri ng ho st ili tie s. M re
di sc ip lin ar y pu ni sh m or eo ve r, no pr is on er pa tr ia te d ag ai ns t hi s will
en of W ar on w ho
re pa tr ia tio n or for ac t ha s be en · im po se d an d w ho is el ig ib m a
co le
ba ck on th e pl ea th at he m m od at io n in a ne ut ra l co un tr y, m ay be for
has no t un de rg on e hi
s pu ni sh m en t.
ke pt
Se co nd , repatriatio
After th e ce ss at io n of n of Prisoners of War at th e cl os e of ho st il
re le as ed an d re pa tr ia active ho st ili tie s, th e Pr is on er s of W ar shit ie s. -
te
be tw ee n th e Pa rt ie s to d w ith ou t delay. In th e ab se nc e of an y ag re al l be
es ta bl is h an d ex ec ut e conflict, ea ch of th e D et ai ni ng Po w er s sh al em en t
re pa tr ia ti on of Pr is w ith ou t delay a pl an of re pa tr ia tio n. Th e l itself
on co
ap po rt io ne d be tw ee n er s of W ar sh al l in al l ca se s be eq uist s of
I

'
·i
Pr is on er s de pe nd .
th e D et ai ni ng Power -
an d th e Po w er on w hi ta bl y
ch th e
Pr is on er s of W ar sh
effect, an d co rr es po nd al l be allowed to ta ke w ith th em th ei r pe rs
en ce , an d pa rc el s w hi
ch ha ve ar ri ve d for th on ne l
Pr is on er s of W ar ag em .
in di ct ab le offence ar e ai ns t w ho m cr im in al pr oc ee di ng s
pe for
pr oc ee di ng s, an d if ne nd in g m ay be de ta in ed un ti l th e en d of an
ce su ch
T he sa m e sh al l ap pJ ss ar y, un til th e co m pl et io n of th e pu ni sh
y to Pr is on er s of W m en t.
in di ct ab le offence. ar al re ad y co nv ic te d
by an
A n in te re st in g ca se
m ay be m en tio ne d· he of re pa tr ia tio n of Pa
re . Th er e to ok pl ac e ki st an i Pr is on er s of
a ho st ili ty be tw ee n In W ar
Pa ki st an in 1971 as a di a an d
co ns eq ue nc e a ne w St
N um be r of Pa ki st an i at e B an gl ad es h w as cr
Pr is on er s of W ar w er ea
rc pa tr at io n of so m e e de ta in ed in In di a an te d.
of th em w as re fu se d d th e
th at th e re le as e an by In di a m ai nl y on th
d re pa tr ia ti on of th e gr ou nd
re qu ir ed th e co nc ur e Pa ki st an i Pr is on er
re nc e of bo th In di a an s of W ar
no t re ad y to gr an t re d B an gl ad es h. Pa ki st
co gn iti on to B an gl ad an w as
~vith it. It m av be m en es h an d to ne go tia te th
tio ne d th at th e Pa ki e m at te r
to Lt. G en er ai Ja gj it st an i Fo rc es w er e su rr
Si ng en de re d
G en er al O ff ic er C om h A ur or a of In di a, on 16 D ec em be r 19 71 . H
m an di ng in C hi ef of e w as
f or ce s. T he re w er e ot th e In di an an d B an
he r re as on s al so for re gl ad es h
Pa ki st an i Pr is on er s of fu si ng th e re pa tr ia tio
W ar , for in st an ce ; n of th e