GC 2- 12 AUGUST 1949

TH GC 2- 12 AUGUST 1949E GENEVA CONVENTION FOR THE AMELIORATION

OF THE CONDITION OF WOUNDED, SICK AND SHIPWRECKED MEMBERS OF
ARMED FORCES AT SEA

Fleet warships- types

Pocket Battleship-

 A pocket battleship was a type of warship used by the German Navy in the interwar
period.
 smaller than a traditional battleship and carried fewer guns

Battlecruiser:

 A battlecruiser is a large, heavily armed and armored warship

Cruiser:

 A cruiser is a medium-sized warship that is faster and more maneuverable than a

battleship. light armor.

Destroyer:

 A destroyer is a fast warship- designed to defend larger vessels such as battleships and
aircraft carriers, from enemy attacks.

Torpedoboat:

 A torpedo boat is a small and fast warship that is designed to attack larger vessels using
torpedoes.

Fleet Aircraft Carrier / Fast Aircraft Carrier:

 A fleet aircraft carrier is a large warship that is designed to carry and launch fighter
planes and other aircraft.
 A fast aircraft carrier is a variation of the fleet aircraft carrier that is designed for high
speed and maneuverability.

Battleship:

 A battleship is a large and heavily armored warship that is designed to engage in direct
combat with enemy vessels
Historical

The Diplomatic Conference-

 first provisions for the adaptation to maritime warfare of the principles of the Geneva
Convention.
 granted protection to hospital ships

The Hague Conventions- 1899, 1907

 gave protection to hospital ships, exempted from capture.

 still in force.

The World War I- battles

 The Battle of Heligoland Bight (28 August 1914)

 The Battle of Dogger Bank (24 January 1915)
 The Battle of Jutland (31 May-1 June 1916)

1929- The Geneva Convention

 issue about status- POW and civilians

 it does establish guidelines for the humane treatment and medical care of combatants who
are wounded or become sick during a conflict.

Objectives of GC 2

 To protect wounded and sick combatants while on board ship or at sea.

 To provide humane treatment to sick and wounded members of armed services
 To protect the medical personnel, ships, and merchant navy and aircrafts
 GC 2 has around 63 articles.

Field of application:

In case of hostilities between land and naval forces of Parties to the conflict,

 the provisions of the present Convention shall apply only to forces on board ship.
 Armed forces members who are wounded, sick or shipwrecked
 Hospital ships and medical personnel
 Civilians who accompany the armed forces

Chapters-

1) General Provisions

2) Protects shipwrecked in addition to wounded

3) Hospital ships and other relief crafts

4) and 5) Medical personnel and transport

6) execution of convention

7) Repression of abuses and infractions

Imp provisions

 Art 12, 18- Second Geneva Convention requires that the parties to the conflict must
provide protected, wounded and shipwrecked persons with medical care to the same
extent as that provided to their own forces.
 Article 14- While a warship cannot capture a hospital ship’s medical staff, it can hold the
wounded, sick and shipwrecked as prisoners of war, providing they can be safely moved
and that the warship has the facilities to care for them.
 Article 21- Appeals can be made to neutral vessels, including merchant ships and yachts,
to help collect and care for the wounded, sick and shipwrecked. Those who agree to help
cannot be captured as long as they remain neutral.
 Art 22- Hospital ships cannot be used for any military purpose. They cannot be attacked
or captured.
 Articles 36-37- Religious, medical and hospital personnel serving on combat ships must
be respected and protected. If captured, they are to be sent back to their side as soon as
possible.

Protection & Care: Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked

 Members of the armed forces and other persons, who are at sea and who are wounded,
sick or shipwrecked, shall be respected and protected in all circumstances.
 treated humanely and cared for by the Parties to the conflict
 Sick-bays and their equipment shall remain subject to the laws of warfare, but may not be
diverted from their purpose so long as they are required for the wounded and sick.
 Merchant vessels which have been transformed into hospital ships cannot be put to any
other use throughout the duration of hostilities.
 The protection shall apply to hospital ships of any tonnage and to their lifeboats,
wherever they are operating.