Présentation - First 1949 Geneva Convention

i n t r o d u c t i o n

Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field. Geneva, 12 August 1949.

General title

Diplomatic Conference of Geneva of 1949.

Forum of adoption

Diplomatic Conference of Geneva of 1949

In force

yes

Entry into force

21.10.1950

This Convention represents the fourth version of the Geneva Convention on the wounded and sick after those adopted in 1864, 1906 and 1929. The fundamental principles as well as the division into chapters remained the same as in the preceding version with the exception of the new introductory chapter on general provisions. Changes were made especially in Chapter IV (personnel). Hitherto, medical personnel and chaplains falling into enemy hands had to be immediately repatriated. The 1949 Convention, taking account of changed conditions of warfare, provides that they may in certain circumstances be retained to care for prisoners of war. The provisions on medical equipment were correspondingly altered. In the chapter on medical transports it was provided that medical aircraft may in certain circumstances fly over neutral territory. Some clarifications were made as regards the article on the use of the emblem (Article 44).

Meetings of forum

21.04.1949 - 12.08.1949, Geneva

Dade of adoption

12.08.1949

Depositary

Switzerland

Number of articles

64 + 2 annexes

Authentic text

English; French

Source

The Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, pp.23-50.

Keywords

WAR ON LAND; PROTECTION; WAR VICTIM; WOUNDED; SICK; MEDICAL UNIT; MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION; MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT; MEDICAL EQUIPMENT; MEDICAL PERSONNEL; RELIGIOUS PERSONNEL; ARMED FORCES; COMBATANT; SIGN; RED CRESCENT; RED LION AND SUN; NON-INTERNATIONAL ARMED CONFLICT; INTERNATIONAL ARMED CONFLICT; HOSPITAL ZONE; PROTECTED ZONE; RED CROSS; HOSPITAL SHIP; NEUTRAL STATE; AIRCRAFT