0031-0330 irl.qxd
2.3.2009
14:19
Page 77
77
WOUNDED, SICK AND SHIPWRECKED
CHAPTER VI
The Distinctive Emblem
ART. 41. — Under the direction of the competent military
authority, the emblem of the red cross on a white ground shall be
displayed on the flags, armlets and on all equipment employed in
the Medical Service.
Nevertheless, in the case of countries which already use as
emblem, in place of the red cross, the red crescent or the red lion and
sun on a white ground, these emblems are also recognized by the
terms of the present Convention.
Use of the
emblem
ART. 42. — The personnel designated in Articles 36 and 37 shall
wear, affixed to the left arm, a water-resistant armlet bearing the
distinctive emblem, issued and stamped by the military authority.
Such personnel, in addition to wearing the identity disc
mentioned in Article 19, shall also carry a special identity card
bearing the distinctive emblem. This card shall be water-resistant
and of such size that it can be carried in the pocket. It shall be
worded in the national language, shall mention at least the surname
and first names, the date of birth, the rank and the service number
of the bearer, and shall state in what capacity he is entitled to the
protection of the present Convention. The card shall bear the
photograph of the owner and also either his signature or his fingerprints or both. It shall be embossed with the stamp of the military
authority.
The identity card shall be uniform throughout the same armed
forces and, as far as possible, of a similar type in the armed forces of
the High Contracting Parties. The Parties to the conflict may be
guided by the model which is annexed, by way of example, to the
present Convention. They shall inform each other, at the outbreak of
hostilities, of the model 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 the said personnel be deprived of their
insignia or identity cards nor of the right to wear the armlet. In cases
of loss they shall be entitled to receive duplicates of the cards and to
have the insignia replaced.
Identification
of medical
and religious
personnel
ART. 43. — The ships designated in Articles 22, 24, 25 and 27 shall
be distinctively marked as follows:
Marking of
hospital ships
and small
craft
a) All exterior surfaces shall be white.