We Care for You. Respect Us.We Care for You. Respect Us.

We have already seen that the fighting parties, under the principle of distinction (see in particular the design “I’m Not a Target”), must at all times distinguish between those who fight and those who do not fight (civilians) or no longer fight (wounded fighters, those who surrendered and/or got captured).

That simply means that those who no longer fight must be taken care of and not left behind dying in the field.

Looking after sick and wounded soldiers is in fact what led to the creation of the Red Cross and the Geneva Conventions that followed.

But if we say that sick and wounded, whether soldiers or civilians, must be cared for, it only makes sense to protect those who actually do it. And this is thus another core rule that the fighting parties must always respect: medical personnel exclusively assigned to medical duties must be respected and protected in all circumstances.

And this does not only include the official medical personnel or the armies but also the members of the armed groups with a medical function, those who collect, care and transport the wounded and sick, and all their premises (inc. hospitals of course) and vehicles.

For those who would like to read more on the foundation of the Red Cross you may have a look here: “What’s to be learned from the founding of the Red Cross?”.