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Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field. Geneva, 12 August 1949.
General titleDiplomatic Conference of Geneva of 1949.
Forum of adoptionDiplomatic Conference of Geneva of 1949
In forceyes
Entry into force21.10.1950

    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 forum21.04.1949 - 12.08.1949, Geneva
Date of adoption12.08.1949
DepositarySwitzerland
Number of articles64 + 2 annexes
Authentic textEnglish; French
SourceThe Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, pp.23-50.
 
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