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Commentary - Annex I : Regulations concerning identification #Chapter I -- Identity cards

[p.1151] Annex I, Chapter I -- Identity cards

Introduction

3964 The identity cards described in this Chapter are provided for in Article 18

' (Identification), ' paragraph 3, of the Protocol. They

are intended for the civilian medical and religious personnel defined

in sub-paragraphs (c), (d) and (k) of Article 8

' (Terminology) ' of

the Protocol. Such personnel may be either permanent or temporary,

and provision is made for issuing the latter category with a less

detailed identity card. (1)

3965 To this end, Chapter I is divided into two articles relating, respectively, to the identity cards for permanent and temporary

personnel. The relevant provisions of Article 1

' (Identity card for

permanent civilian medical and religious personnel) ' also apply to

the identity card for civil defence personnel referred to in Article

' (Identity card) ' of Chapter V ' (Civil defence) ' of the Annex.

3966 The identity card, issued by the competent authority enables the holder to prove that he forms part of the civilian medical and

religious personnel entitled to respect and protection. For these

categories of civilian personnel, particularly in occupied

territories and combat areas, the identity card is evidence of the

right to wear the distinctive emblem.

3967 In the 1974 draft, Chapter I was entitled "Documents" and consisted of four articles. Only the first two of these, relating to

identity cards, were retained in the final version of the Chapter.

Article 4 of the draft became Article 12

' (Flight plans), ' whereas

Article 3 (2) was deleted. At the first session, the Technical

Sub-Committee considered that draft Article 3 created an

administrative burden which did not have the effect of strengthening

the protection granted. Furthermore, the last paragraph of Article 20

of the fourth Convention makes provision for a list of the personnel

working in civilian hospitals.

' Ph.E. '

NOTES (1) [(1) p.1151] Cf. Commentary Arts. 8 and 18 of the Protocol, supra, p. 113 and p. 221;

(2) [(2) p.1151] Entitled "Lists of personnel";