What does IHL say about protection of sick and wounded persons in situations of armed conflict? About the protection of medical care on the battlefield? This month, How does law protect in war? Online’s highlight is on IHL rules protecting wounded persons and medical care on the battlefield.
IHL rules pertaining to the protection of those who are sick or wounded, as well as, the medical mission, can be found in the chapter on the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked.
These rules are further explored in 5 new case studies: Gaza: Health situation in the Gaza Strip, South Sudan: Medical Care Under Fire, Health Care in Pakistan’s Tribal Areas, Democratic Republic of Congo, Fighting with the M 23 Group, Yemen, Obstructing Medical Care and Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health.
The concepts of “Medical ethics / Medical duties”, “Medical objects”, “Medical personnel” and the “Wounded and Sick” are elaborated upon in the “A to Z” section. More can be learnt on this topic through the ICRC e-learning module and the International Review of the Red Cross on violence against health care “the problem and the law” and “the way forward”.