Article

The care of wounded and sick and the protection of medical personnel in the time of armed conflicts

Mohammad Naqib Ishan Jan and Abdul Haseeb Ansari

• ISIL yearbook of international humanitarian and refugee law, Vol. 11, 2011, p. 47-73

English

Jan and Ansari outline the historical development of rules relating to the care of the wounded, sick, and those who treat them, by drawing on the Geneva Conventions (GCs), the Hague Conventions (HCs) and the Additional Protocol (AP). The authors state that “wounded” and “sick” are loosely defined to promote greater inclusivity under these categories – for instance, they suggest that individuals who will soon require medical attention, such as expectant mothers, are also encompassed. Medical personnel are broadly defined in Article 8 of AP 1 as any exclusive providers of medical services, and are required to wear identifying clothing. The authors argue that the GCs and AP impose a duty to both respect and protect all three groups. “Respect" means to spare, while “protect” means to offer assistance. Thus, the authors conclude, a wounded enemy cannot be attacked and must be helped. [Summary by students at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law (IHRP)]

• ISIL yearbook of international humanitarian and refugee law / THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
• ISIL yearbook of international humanitarian and refugee law [Vol. 11, 2011] / THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW