Geneva Conventions Act 1957

CHAPTER III.—MEDICAL UNITS AND ESTABLISHMENTSU.K.

ARTICLE 19U.K.

Fixed establishments and mobile medical units of the Medical Service may in no circumstances be attacked, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict. Should they fall into the hands of the adverse Party, their personnel 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 establishments and units.

The responsible authorities shall ensure that the said medical establishments and units are, as far as possible, situated in such a manner that attacks against military objectives cannot imperil their safety.

ARTICLE 20U.K.

Hospital ships entitled to the protection of the Geneva Convention of 12th August, 1949, for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea, shall not be attacked from the land.

ARTICLE 21U.K.

The protection to which fixed establishments and mobile medical units of the Medical Service are entitled shall not cease unless they are used to commit, outside their humanitarian duties, acts harmful to the enemy. Protection may, however, cease only after a due warning has been given, naming, in all appropriate cases, a reasonable time-limit and after such warning has remained unheeded.

ARTICLE 22U.K.

The following conditions shall not be considered as depriving a medical unit or establishment of the protection guaranteed by Article 19:

(1)That the personnel of the unit or establishment are armed, and that they use the arms in their own defence, or in that of the wounded and sick in their charge.

(2)That in the absence of armed orderlies, the unit or establishment is protected by a picket or by sentries or by an escort.

(3)That small arms and ammunition taken from the wounded and sick, and not yet handed to the proper service, are found in the unit or establishment.

(4)That personnel and material of the veterinary service are found in the unit or establishment, without forming an integral part thereof.

(5)That the humanitarian activities of medical units and establishments or of their personnel extend to the care of civilian wounded or sick.

ARTICLE 23U.K.

In time of peace, the High Contracting Parties and, after the outbreak of hostilities, the Parties thereto, may establish in their own territory and, if the need arises, in occupied areas, hospital zones and localities so organised as to protect the wounded and sick from the effects of war, as well as the personnel entrusted with the organisation and administration of these zones and localities and with the care of the persons therein assembled.

Upon the outbreak and during the course of hostilities, the Parties concerned may conclude agreements on mutual recognition of the hospital zones and localities they have created. They may for this purpose implement the provisions of the Draft Agreement annexed to the present Convention, with such amendments as they may consider necessary.

The Protecting Powers and the International Committee of the Red Cross are invited to lend their good offices in order to facilitate the institution and recognition of these hospital zones and localities.