Geneva Conventions Act, 1957 : 5 & 6 Eliz 2. Ch 52.

  • Great Britain.
Date:
1957
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Geneva Conventions Act, 1957 : 5 & 6 Eliz 2. Ch 52. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    22/142 (page 20)
    —cont. CH. 52 Geneva Conventions Act, 1957. - 5 & 6 ELIz. 2 The selection of personnel for return under Article 30 shall be made irrespective of any consideration of race, religion or political opinion, but preferably according to the chronological order of their capture and their state of health. As from the outbreak of hostilities, Parties to the conflict may determine by special agreement the percentage of personnel to be retained, in proportion to the number of prisoners and the distribution of the said personnel in the camps. ARTICLE 32 Persons designated in Article 27 who have fallen into the hands of the adverse Party may not be detained. Unless otherwise agreed, they shall have permission to return to their country, or, if this is not possible, to the territory of the Party to the conflict in whose service they were, as soon as a route for their return is open and military considerations permit. Pending their release, they shall continue their work under the direction of the adverse Party; they shall preferably be engaged in the care of the wounded and sick of the Party to the conflict in whose service they were. On their departure, they shall take with them their effects, personal articles and valuables and the instruments, arms and if possible the means of transport belonging to them. The Parties to the conflict shall secure to this personnel, while in their power, the same food, lodging, allowances and pay as are granted to the corresponding personnel of their armed forces. The food shall in any case be sufficient as regards quantity, quality and variety to keep the said personnel in a normal state of health. CHAPTER V.—BUILDINGS AND MATERIAL ARTICLE 33 The material of mobile medical units of the armed forces which fall into the hands of the enemy, shall be reserved for the care of wounded and sick. The buildings, material and stores of fixed medical establishments of the armed forces shall remain subject to the laws of war, but may not be diverted from their purpose as long as they are required for the care of wounded and sick. Nevertheless, the commanders of forces in the field may make use of them, in case of urgent military necessity, provided that they make previous arrangements for the welfare of the wounded and sick who are nursed in them. The material and stores defined in the present Article shall not be intentionally destroyed. ARTICLE 34. The real and personal property of aid societies which are admitted to the privileges of the Convention shall be regarded as private property.