Section 78p. 78

PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW COMPENDIUM VOLUME II

possible, and shall, when notifying the use of their

hospital ships, confirm the frequency to be employed.

4.

Parties

to

a

conflict

may,

by special agreement

between them, establish for their use a similar electronic

system for the identification of medical vehicles, and

medical ships and craft.

CHAPTER IV - COMMUNICATIONS

Article 10 - Radiocommunications

1. The urgency signal and the distinctive signal provided

for

in

Article

8

may

precede

appropriate

radiocommunications by medical units and transports in

the application of the procedures carried out under

Articles 22, 23 and 25 to 31 of the Protocol.

2. The medical transports referred to in Articles 40

(Section II, No. 3209) and N 40 (Section III, No. 3214) of the

ITU

Radio

Regulations

may

also

transmit

their

communications by satellite systems, in accordance with

the provisions of Articles 37, N 37 and 59 of the ITU Radio

Regulations for the Mobile-Satellite Services.

Article 11 - Use of international codes

Medical units and transports may also use the codes and

signals laid down by the International telecommunication

Union, the International Civil Aviation Organization and

the International Maritime Organization. These codes and

signals shall be used in accordance with the standards,

practices

and

procedures

established

by

these

Organizations.

Article 12 - Other means of communication

When two-way radiocommunication is not possible, the

signals provided for in the International Code of Signals

adopted by the International Maritime Organization or in

the appropriate Annex to the Chicago Convention on

International

Civil

Aviation

of

7

December

1944, as

amended from time to time, may be used.

Article 13 - Flight plans

The agreements and notifications relating to flight plans

provided for in Article 29 of the Protocol shall as far as

possible be formulated in accordance with procedures

laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Article 14 - Signals and procedures for the interception of

medical aircraft

If an intercepting aircraft is used to verify the identity of a

medical aircraft in flight or to require it to land in

accordance with Articles 30 and 31 of the Protocol, the

standard

visual

and

radio

interception

procedures

prescribed by Annex 2 to the Chicago Convention on

International

Civil

Aviation

of

7

December

1944, as

amended from time to time, should be used by the

intercepting and the medical aircraft.

CHAPTER V - CIVIL DEFENCE

Article 15 - Identity card

1. The identity card of the civil defence personnel provided

for in Article 66, paragraph 3, of the Protocol is governed

by

the

relevant

provisions

of

Article

2

of

these

Regulations.

2. The identity card for civil defence personnel may follow

the model shown in Figure 3.

3. If civil defence personnel are permitted to carry light

individual weapons, an entry to that effect should be

made on the card mentioned.

Article 16 - International distinctive sign

1.

The

international

distinctive

sign

of

civil

defence

provided for in Article 66, paragraph 4, of the Protocol is

an equilateral blue triangle on an orange ground. A

model is shown in Figure 4:

2. It is recommended that:

(a) if the blue triangle is on a flag or armlet or tabard, the

ground to the triangle be the orange flag, armlet or

tabard;

(b) one of the angles of the triangle be pointed vertically

upwards;

(c) no angle of the triangle touch the edge of the orange

ground.

3. The international distinctive sign shall be as large as

appropriate under the circumstances. The distinctive sign

shall, whenever possible, be displayed on flat surfaces or

on flags visible from as many directions and from as far

away as possible. Subject to the instructions of the

competent authority, civil defence personnel shall, as far

as possible, wear headgear and clothing bearing the

international distinctive sign. At night or when visibility is

reduced, the sign may be lighted or illuminated; it may

also be made of materials rendering it recognizable by

technical means of detection.

CHAPTER VI - WORKS AND INSTALLATIONS

CONTAINING DANGEROUS FORCES

Article 17 - International special sign

1. The international special sign for works and installations

containing dangerous forces, as provided for in Article 56,

paragraph 7, of the Protocol, shall be a group of three

bright orange circles of equal size, placed on the same

axis, the distance between each circle being one radius, in

accordance with Figure 5 illustrated below.

2. The sign shall be as large as appropriate under the

circumstances. When displayed over an extended surface

it may be repeated as often as appropriate under the

circumstances. It shall, whenever possible, be displayed

on flat surfaces or on flags so as to be visible from as

many directions and from as far away as possible.

3. On a flag, the distance between the outer limits of the

sign and the adjacent sides of the flag shall be one radius

of a circle. The flag shall be rectangular and shall have a

white ground.

4. At night or when visibility is reduced, the sign may be

lighted or illuminated. It may also be made of materials

rendering

it

recognizable

by

technical

means

of

detection.

Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions

of 12 August 1949, and relating to the

Protection of Victims of Non-International

Armed Conflicts (Protocol II), 8 June 1977

Preamble

The

High

Contracting

Parties,

Recalling

that

the

humanitarian principles enshrined in Article 3 common

to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, constitute

the foundation of respect for the human person in cases

of armed conflict not of an international character,

Recalling

furthermore

that

international

instruments

relating to human rights offer a basic protection to the

human person,

Emphasizing the need to ensure a better protection for

the victims of those armed conflicts,

Recalling that, in cases not covered by the law in force,

the human person remains under the protection of the

principles of humanity and the dictates of the public

conscience,

Have agreed on the following:

© Compiled by RGL

78 of 163