Evacuation

The necessary movement of persons - both within the combat zone, and from the combat zone towards territory controlled by a Party to the conflict - of persons protected by IHL. The aim of evacuation is to protect persons from the effects of ongoing hostilities. Evacuation comprises:

  1. wounded, sick and shipwrecked, who the military medical services must collect and to whom they must give first aid in dressing stations. They must be classified into three grades of urgency, sorted out, transported and cared for in medical establishment able to give them suitable treatment. All these operations are carried out by medical personnel, medical units and medical transports, and must take place under the protection of the emblem of the red cross and red crescent, with due respect for the rules established by international law;
  2. prisoners of war, who must be collected by specialized units and sent to internment camps conforming to legal standards;
  3. the civilian population, which must be moved in a coordinated manner from the rear area by military commanders in accordance with the rules of international law.

LEGAL SOURCE

of children

    GCIV, 24/2

    PI, 78

    PII, 4/3(e)

of civilians and civilian population from the vicinity of military objectives

    PI, 58(a)

    CIHL, 24

in NIAC, of detained or interned persons

    PII, 5/2(c)

of POWs

    GCIII, 19-20

of protected persons

    GCIV, 49/2-3

of wounded, sick and shipwrecked

    GCI, 15/3 (see ICRC updated Commentary)

    GCII, 18 (see ICRC updated Commentary)

    GCIV, 17

    GCIV, 22

    CIHL, 109

CASES