0031-0330 irl.qxd
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2.3.2009
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Page 70
SECOND GENEVA CONVENTION OF 1949
Wounded
falling into
enemy hands
ART. 16. — Subject to the provisions of Article 12, the wounded,
sick and shipwrecked of a belligerent who fall into enemy hands
shall be prisoners of war, and the provisions of international law
concerning prisoners of war shall apply to them. The captor may
decide, according to circumstances, whether it is expedient to hold
them, or to convey them to a port in the captor’s own country, to a
neutral port or even to a port in enemy territory. In the last case,
prisoners of war thus returned to their home country may not serve
for the duration of the war.
Wounded
landed in a
neutral port
ART. 17. — Wounded, sick or shipwrecked persons who are
landed in neutral ports with the consent of the local authorities,
shall, failing arrangements to the contrary between the neutral and
the belligerent Powers, be so guarded by the neutral Power, where so
required by international law, that the said persons cannot again
take part in operations of war.
The costs of hospital accommodation and internment shall be
borne by the Power on whom the wounded, sick or shipwrecked
persons depend.
Search for
casualties
after an
engagement
ART. 18. — After each engagement, Parties to the conflict shall,
without delay, take all possible measures to search for and collect the
shipwrecked, wounded and sick, to protect them against pillage and
ill-treatment, to ensure their adequate care, and to search for the
dead and prevent their being despoiled.
Whenever circumstances permit, 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 personnel and equipment on their way to that
area.
Recording
and
forwarding of
information
ART. 19. — The Parties to the conflict shall record as soon as
possible, 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 identification. These records should if
possible include:
a) designation of the Power on which he depends;
b) army, regimental, personal or serial number;
c) surname;
d) first name or names;
e) date of birth;
f) any other particulars shown on his identity card or disc;