PART VI: FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 92 - Signature
Article 93 - Ratification
Article 94
- Accession
Article 95 - Entry into force
Article 96 - Treaty
relations upon entry into force of this Protocol
Article 97 -
Amendment
Article 98 - Revision of Annex I
Article 99 -
Denunciation
Article 100 - Notification
Article 101 -
Registration
Article 102 - Authentic texts
Art 92. Signature
This Protocol shall be open for signature by
the Parties to the Conventions six months after the signing of the Final Act
and will remain open for a period or twelve months.
Art 93. Ratification
This Protocol shall be ratified as soon as
possible. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Swiss
Federal Council, depositary of the Conventions.
Art 94. Accession
This Protocol shall be open for accession by any
Party to the Conventions which has not signed it. The instruments of
accession shall be deposited with the depositary.
Art 95.- Entry into force
1. This Protocol shall enter-into force six months after two
instruments of ratification or accession have been deposited.
2. For
each Party to the Conventions thereafter ratifying or acceding to this
Protocol, it shall enter into force six months after the deposit by such
Party of its instrument of ratification or accession.
Art 96. Treaty relations upon
entry into force or this Protocol
1. When the Parties to the Conventions are also Parties to this
Protocol, the Conventions shall apply as supplemented by this Protocol.
2. When one of the Parties to the conflict is not bound by this
Protocol, the Parties to the Protocol shall remain bound by it in their
mutual relations. They shall furthermore be bound by this Protocol in
relation to each of the Parties which are not bound by it, if the latter
accepts and applies the provisions thereof.
3. The authority representing a people engaged against a High
Contracting Party in an armed conflict of the type referred to in
Article 1, paragraph 4, may undertake to apply the Conventions and this
Protocol in relation to that conflict by means of a unilateral
declaration addressed to the depositary. Such declaration shall, upon
its receipt by the depositary, have in relation to that conflict the
following effects:
(a) the Conventions and this Protocol are brought into force for the
said authority as a Party to the conflict with immediate effect;(b) the
said authority assumes the same rights and obligations as those which
have been assumed by a High Contracting Party to the Conventions and
this Protocol; and
(c) the Conventions and this Protocol are equally
binding upon all Parties to the conflict.
Art 97. Amendment
1. Any High Contracting Party may propose amendments to this
Protocol. The text of any proposed amendment shall be communicated to
the depositary, which shall decide, after consultation with all the High
Contracting Parties and the International Committee of the Red Cross,
whether a conference should be convened to consider the proposed
amendment.
2. The depositary shall invite to that conference all the High
Contracting Parties as well as the Parties to the Conventions, whether
or not they are signatories or this Protocol.
Art 98. Revision of Annex I
1. Not later than four years after the entry into force of this
Protocol and thereafter at intervals of not less than four years, the
International Committee of the Red Cross shall consult the High
Contracting Parties concerning Annex I to this Protocol and, if it
considers it necessary, may propose a meeting of technical experts to
review Annex I and to propose such amendments to it as may appear to be
desirable. Unless, within six months of the communication of a proposal
for such a meeting to the High Contracting Parties, one third of them
object, the International Committee of the Red Cross shall convene the
meeting, inviting also observers of appropriate international
organizations. Such a meeting shall also be convened by the
International Committee of the Red Cross at any time at the request of
one third of the High Contracting Parties.
2. The depositary shall convene a conference of the High Contracting
Parties and the Parties to the Conventions to consider amendments
proposed by the meeting of technical experts if, after that meeting, the
International Committee of the Red Cross or one third of the High
Contracting Parties so request.
3. Amendments to Annex I may be adopted at such a conference by a
two-thirds majority of the High Contracting Parties present and voting.
4. The depositary shall communicate any amendment so adopted to the
High Contracting Parties and to the Parties to the Conventions. The
amendment shall be considered to have been accepted at the end of a
period of one year after it has been so communicated, unless within that
period a declaration of non-acceptance of the amendment has been
communicated to the depositary by not less than one third of the High
Contracting Parties.
5. An amendment considered to have been accepted in accordance with
paragraph 4 shall enter into force three months after its acceptance for
all High Contracting Parties other than those which have made a
declaration of non-acceptance in accordance with that paragraph. Any
Party making such a declaration may at any time withdraw it and the
amendment shall then enter into force for that Party three months
thereafter.
6. The depositary shall notify the High Contracting Parties and the
Parties to the Conventions of the entry into force of any amendment, of
the Parties bound thereby, of the date of its entry into force in
relation to each Party, of declarations of non-acceptance made in
accordance with paragraph 4, and of withdrawals of such declarations.
Article 99 - Denunciation
1. In case a High Contracting Party should denounce this
Protocol, the denunciation shall only take effect one year after receipt
of the instrument of denunciation. If, however, on the expiry of that
year the denouncing Party is engaged in one of the situations referred
to in Article I, the denunciation shall not take effect before the end
of the armed conflict or occupation and not, in any case, before
operations connected with the final release, repatriation or
re-establishment of the persons protected by the Convention or this
Protocol have been terminated.
2. The denunciation shall be notified in writing to the depositary,
which shall transmit it to all the High Contracting Parties.
3. The denunciation shall have effect only in respect of the
denouncing Party.
4. Any denunciation under paragraph 1 shall not affect the
obligations already incurred, by reason of the armed conflict, under
this Protocol by such denouncing Party in respect of any act committed
before this denunciation becomes effective.
Article 100 - Notifications
The depositary shall inform the High
Contracting Parties as well as the Parties to the Conventions, whether or
not they are signatories of this Protocol, of:
(a) signatures affixed to this Protocol and the deposit of
instruments of ratification and accession under Articles 93 and 94;(b)
the date of entry into force of this Protocol under Article 95;(c)
communications and declarations received under Articles 84, 90 and
97;(d) declarations received under Article 96, paragraph 3, which shall
be communicated by the quickest methods; and
(e) denunciations under
Article 99.
Art 101. Registration
1. After its entry into force, this Protocol shall be transmitted
by the depositary to the Secretariat of the United Nations for
registration and publication, in accordance with Article 102 of the
Charter of the United Nations.
2. The depositary shall also inform the Secretariat of the United
Nations of all ratifications, accessions and denunciations received by
it with respect to this Protocol.
Art 102. Authentic texts
The original of this Protocol, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English,
French, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited
with the depositary, which shall transmit certified true copies thereof to
all the Parties to the Conventions.
Annex I. Regulations Concerning Identification
CHAPTER I. IDENTITY CARDS
Article 1 Identity card for permanent
civilian medical and religious personnel
1. The identity card for permanent civilian medical and religious
personnel referred to in Article 18, paragraph 3, of the Protocol
should:
a) bear the distinctive emblem and be of such size that it
can be carried in the pocket;
b) be as durable as practicable;
c)
be worded in the national or official language (and may in addition be
worded in other languages);
d) mention the name, the date of birth
(or, if that date is not available, the age at the time of issue) and
the identity number, if any, of the holder;
e) state in what capacity
the holder is entitled to the protection of the Conventions and of the
Protocol; bear the photograph of the holder as well as his signature or
his thumb-print, or both;
g) bear the stamp and signature of the
competent authority;
h) state the date of issue and date of expiry of
the card.
2. The identity card shall be uniform throughout the territory of
each High Contracting Party and, as far as possible, of the same type
for all Parties to the conflict. The Parties to the conflict may be
guided by the single- language model shown in Figure 1. At the outbreak
of hostilities, they shall transmit to each other a specimen of the
model they are using, if such model differs from that shown in Figure 1.
The identity card shall be made out, if possible, in duplicate, one copy
being kept by the issuing authority, which should maintain control of
the cards which it has issued.
3. In no circumstances may permanent civilian medical and religious
personnel be deprived of their identity cards. In the event of the loss
of a card, they shall be entitled to obtain a duplicate copy.
Article 2 - Identity card for temporary civilian medical and religious
personnel
1. The identity card for temporary civilian medical and religious
personnel should, whenever possible, be similar to that provided for in
Article 1 of these Regulations. The Parties to the conflict may be
guided by the model shown in Figure 1.
2. When circumstances preclude the provision to temporary civilian
medical and religious personnel of identity cards similar to those
described in Article 1 of these Regulations, the said personnel may be
provided with a certificate signed by the competent authority certifying
that the person to whom it is issued ts assigned to duty as temporary
personnel and stating, if possible, the duration of such assignment and
his right to wear the distinctive emblem. The certificate should mention
the holder's name and date of birth (or if that date is not available,
his age at the time when the certificate was issued), his function and
identity number, if any. It shall bear his signature or his thumb-print,
or both.
Fig 1. Model of
Identity card (74mm x 105mm)
CHAPTER II. THE DISTINCTIVE EMBLEM
Article 3 - Shape and nature
1. The distinctive emblem (red on a white ground) shall be as
large as appropriate under the circumstances. For the shapes of the
cross, the crescent or the lion and sun, the High Contracting Parties
may be guided by the models shown in Figure 2.
2. At night or when
visibility is reduced, the distinctive emblem may be lighted or
illuminated; it may also be made of materials rendering it recognizable
by technical means of detection.
Fig. 2: Distinctive emblems in red on a white ground
Article 4 Use
1. The distinctive emblem shall, whenever possible, be displayed
on a flat surface or on flags visible from as many directions and from
as far away as possible.
2. Subject to the instructions of the
competent authority, medical and religious personnel carrying out their
duties in the battle area shall, as far as possible, wear headgear and
clothing bearing the distinctive emblem.
CHAPTER III. DISTINCTIVE SIGNALS
Article 5 - Optional Use
1. Subject to the provisions of Article 6 of these
Regulations, the signals specified in this Chapter for exclusive use
by medical units and transports shall not be used for any other
purpose. The use of all signals referred to in this Chapter is
optional.
2. Temporary medical aircraft which cannot, either for
lack of time or because of their characteristics, be marked with the
distinctive emblem, may use the distinctive signals authorized in
this Chapter. The best method of effective identification and
recognition of medical aircraft is, however, the use of a visual
signal, either the distinctive emblem or the light signal specified
in Article 6, or both, supplemented by the other signals referred to
in Articles 7 and 8 of these Regulations.
Article 6 Light signal
1. The light signal, consisting of a flashing blue light, is
established for the use of medical aircraft to signal their
identity. No other aircraft shall use this signal. The recommended
blue colour is obtained by using, as trichromatic co-ordinates:
green boundary y = 0.065 + 0.805x
white boundary y =
0.400 - x
purple boundary x = 0.133 + 0.600y
The recommended flashing rate of the blue light is between sixty
and one hundred flashes per minute. 2. Medical aircraft should be
equipped with such lights as may be necessary to make the light
signal visible in as many directions as possible. 3. In the absence
of a special agreement between the Parties to the conflict reserving
the use of flashing blue lights for the identification of medical
vehicles and ships and craft, the use of such signals for other
vehicles or ships is not prohibited.
Article 7 - Radio signal
1. The radio signal shall consist of a radiotelephonic or
radiotelegraphic message preceded by a distinctive priority signal
to be designated and approved by a World Administrative Radio
Conference of the International Telecommunication Union. It shall be
transmitted three times before the call sign of the medical
transport involved. This message shall be transmitted in English at
appropriate intervals on a frequency or frequencies specified
pursuant to paragraph j. The use of the priority signal shall be
restricted exclusively to medical units and transports.
I
2.
The radio message preceded by the distinctive priority signal
mentioned in paragraph 1 shall convey the following data:
a) call
sign of the medical transport;
b) position of the medical
transport;
c) number and type of medical transports;
d)
intended route;
e) estimated time en route and of departure and
arrival, as appropriate; any other information such as flight
altitude, radio frequencies guarded, languages and secondary
surveillance radar modes and codes.
3. In order to facilitate the communications referred to in
paragraphs 1 and 2, as well as the communications referred to in
Articles 22, 23, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 of the Protocol, the
High Contracting Parties, the Parties to a conflict, or one of the
Parties to a conflict, acting in agreement or alone, may designate,
in accordance with the Table of Frequency Allocations in the Radio
Regulations annexed to the International Telecommunication
Convention, and publish selected national frequencies to be used by
them for such communications. These frequenci shall be notified to
the International Telecommunication Union in accordance with
procedures to be approved by a World Administrative Radio
Conference.
Article 8 - Electronic identification
1. The Secondary
Surveillance Radar (SSR) system, as specified in Annex 10 to the Chicago
Convention on International Civil Aviation of 7 December1944, as amended
from time to time, may be used to identify and to follow the course of
medical aircraft. The SSR mode and code to be reserved for the exclusive
use of medical aircraft shall be established by the High Contracting
Parties, the Parties to a conflict, or one of the Parties to a conflict,
acting in agreement or alone, in accordance with procedures to be
recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
2. 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 9 - Radiocommunications
The priority signal provided for in
Article 7 of these Regulations may precede appropriate radiocommunications
by medical units and transports in the application of the procedures carried
out under Articles 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 of the Protocol.
Article 10 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 Inter-Governmental Maritime Con- sultative Organization. These codes and
signals shall be used in accordance with the standards, practices and
procedures established by these Organizations.
Article 11 Other means of communication
When two-way
radiocommunication is not possible, the signals provided for in the
International Code of Signals adopted by the Inter-Governmental Maritime
Consultative 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 12 - 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 13 - 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.
Fig 3. Model
identity card for civil defence personnel (format: 74mm x 105mm)
CHAPTER V. CIVIL DEFENCE
Article 14 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 1 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,
Article 15 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 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 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 ground.
Fig 4: Blue triangle on an background
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 16 International special sign
1. The international special sign for works and installations
CC)ntaining dangerous forces, as provided for in Article 56, paragraph
7, of the Protocol, shall be a group of three bright 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
asIappropriate 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.
Fig. 5: International special sign for works and installations
containing dangerous forces
ANNEX I AS AMENDED ON 30 NOVEMBER 1993: REGULATIONS
CONCERNING IDENTIFICATION
Article 1 - General provisions (New article)
1. The regulations concerning identification in this Annex
implement the relevant provisions of the Geneva Conventions and the
Protocol; they are intended to facilitate the identification of
personnel, material, units, transports and installations protected
under the Geneva Conventions and the Protocol.
2. These rules do not in and of themselves establish the right to
protection. This right is governed by the relevant articles in the
Conventions and the Protocol.
3. The competent authorities may, subject to the relevant
provisions of the Geneva Conventions and the Protocol, at all times
regulate the use, display, illumination and detectability of the
distinctive emblems and signals.
4. The High Contracting Parties and in particular the Parties to
the conflict are invited at all times to agree upon additional or
other signals, means or systems which enhance the possibility of
identification and take full advantage of technological developments
in this field.
CHAPTER I - IDENTITY CARDS
Article 2 - Identity card for permanent civilian medical and
religious personnel
1. The identity card for permanent civilian medical and
religious personnel referred to in Article 18, paragraph 3, of the
Protocol should:
(a) bear the distinctive emblem and be of such size that it can
be carried in the pocket;
(b) be as durable as practicable;
(c) be worded in the national or official language and, in
addition and when appropriate, in the local language of the region
concerned;
(d) mention the name, the date of birth (or, if that date is not
available, the age at the time of issue) and the identity number, if
any, of the holder;
(e) state in what capacity the holder is entitled to the
protection of the Conventions and of the Protocol;
(f) bear the photograph of the holder as well as his signature or
his thumbprint, or both;
(g) bear the stamp and signature of the competent authority;
(h) state the date of issue and date of expiry of the card;
(i) indicate, whenever possible, the holder's blood group, on the
reverse side of the card.
2. The identity card shall be uniform throughout the territory of
each High Contracting Party and, as far as possible, of the same
type for all Parties to the conflict. The Parties to the conflict
may be guided by the single-language model shown in Figure 1. At the
outbreak of hostilities, they shall transmit to each other a
specimen of the model they are using, if such model differs from
that shown in Figure 1. The identity card shall be made out, if
possible, in duplicate, one copy being kept by the issuing
authority, which should maintain control of the cards which it has
issued.
3. In no circumstances may permanent civilian medical and
religious personnel be deprived of their identity cards. In the
event of the loss of a card, they shall be entitled to obtain a
duplicate copy.
Article 3 - Identity card for temporary civilian medical and
religious personnel
1. The identity card for temporary civilian medical and religious
personnel should, whenever possible, be similar to that provided for in
Article 1 of these Regulations. The Parties to the conflict may be
guided by the model shown in Figure 1.
2. When circumstances preclude the provision to temporary civilian
medical and religious personnel of identity cards similar to those
described in Article 2 of these Regulations, the said personnel may be
provided with a certificate signed by the competent authority certifying
that the person to whom it is issued is assigned to duty as temporary
personnel and stating, if possible, the duration of such assignment and
his right to wear the distinctive emblem. The certificate should mention
the holder's name and date of birth (or if that is not available, his
age at the time when the certificate was issued), his function and
identity number, if any. It shall bear his signature or his thumbprint,
or both.
CHAPTER II - THE DISTINCTIVE EMBLEM
Article 4 - Shape
The distinctive emblem (red on a white ground) shall be as large as
appropriate under the circumstances. For the shapes of the cross, the
crescent or the lion and sun*, the High Contracting Parties may be guided by
the models shown in Figure 2.
* No State has used the emblem of the lion and sun since 1980.
Article 5 - Use
1. The distinctive emblem shall, whenever possible, be displayed
on a flat surface, on flags or in any other way appropriate to the lay
of the land, so that it is visible from as many directions and from as
far away as possible, and in particular from the air.
2. At night or when visibility is reduced, the distinctive emblem may
be lighted or illuminated.
3. The distinctive emblem may be made of materials which make it
recognizable by technical means of detecting. The red part should be
painted on top of black primer paint in order to facilitate its
identification, in particular by infrared instruments.
4. Medical and religious personnel carrying out their duties in the
battle area shall, as far as possible, wear headgear and clothing
bearing the distinctive emblem.
CHAPTER III - DISTINCTIVE SIGNALS
Article 6 - Use
1. All distinctive signals specified in this Chapter may be used
by medical units or transports.
2. These signals, at the exclusive disposal of medical units and
transports, shall not be used for any other purpose, the use of the
light signal being reserved (see paragraph 3 below).
3. In the absence of a special agreement between the Parties to the
conflict reserving the use of flashing blue lights for the
identification of medical vehicles, ships and craft, the use of such
signals for other vehicles, ships and craft is not prohibited.
4. Temporary medical aircraft which cannot, either for lack of time
or because of their characteristics, be marked with the distinctive
emblem, may use the distinctive signals authorized in this Chapter.
Article 7 - Light signal
1. The light signal, consisting of a flashing blue light as
defined in the Airworthiness Technical Manual of the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) Doc. 9051, is established for the use of
medical aircraft to signal their identity. No other aircraft shall use
this signal. Medical aircraft using the flashing blue light should
exhibit such lights as may be necessary to make the light signal visible
from as many directions as possible.
2. In accordance with the provisions of Chapter XIV, para. 4 of the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) International Code of Signals,
vessels protected by the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Protocol
should exhibit one or more flashing blue lights visible from any
direction.
3. Medical vehicles should exhibit one or more flashing blue lights
visible from as far away as possible. The High Contracting Parties and,
in particular, the Parties to the conflict which use lights of other
colours should give notification of this.
4. The recommended blue colour is obtained when its chromaticity is
within the boundaries of the International Commission on Illumination
(ICI) chromaticity diagram defined by the following equations:
green
boundary y = 0.065 + 0,805x;
white boundary y = 0.400 - x;
purple
boundary x = 0.133 + 0,600y.
The recommended flashing rate of the blue light is between sixty and
one hundred flashes per minute.
Article 8 - Radio signal
1. The radio signal shall consist of the urgency signal and the
distinctive signal as described in the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR Articles 40 and N 40).
2. The radio
message preceded by the urgency and distinctive signals mentioned in
paragraph 1 shall be transmitted in English at appropriate intervals on
a frequency or frequencies specified for this purpose in the Radio
Regulations, and shall convey the following data relating to the medical
transports concerned:
(a) call sign or other recognized means of identification;(b)
position;(c) number and type of vehicles;(d) intended route;(e)
estimated time en route and of departure and arrival, as appropriate;(f)
any other information, such as flight altitude, guarded radio
frequencies, languages used and secondary surveillance radar modes and
codes.
3. In order to facilitate the communications referred to in
paragraphs 1 and 2, as well as the communications referred to in
Articles 22, 23 and 25 to 31 of the Protocol, the High Contracting
Parties, the Parties to a conflict, or one of the Parties to a conflict,
acting in agreement or alone, may designate, in accordance with the
Table of Frequency Allocations in the Radio Regulations annexed to the
International Telecommunication Convention, and publish selected
national frequencies to be used by them for such communications. The
International Telecommunication Union shall be notified of these
frequencies in accordance with procedures approved by a World
Administrative Radio Conference.
Article 9 - Electronic identification
1. The Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) system, as specified in
Annex 10 to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation of 7
December 1944, as amended from time to time, may be used to identify and
to follow the course of medical aircraft. The SSR mode and code to be
reserved for the exclusive use of medical aircraft shall be established
by the High Contracting Parties, the Parties to a conflict, or one of
the Parties to a conflict, acting in agreement or alone, in accordance
with procedures to be recommended by the International Civil Aviation
Organization.
2. Protected medical transports may, for their identification and
location, use standard aeronautical radar transponders and/or maritime
search and rescue radar transponders.
It should be possible for protected medical transports to be
identified by other vessels or aircraft equipped with secondary
surveillance radar by means of a code transmitted by a radar
transponder, e.g. in mode 3/A, fitted on the medical transports.
The code transmitted by the medical transport transponder should be
assigned to that transport by the competent authorities and notified to
all the Parties to the conflict.
3. It should be possible for medical transports to be identified by
submarines by the appropriate underwater acoustic signals transmitted by
the medical transports.
The underwater acoustic signal shall consist of the call sign (or any
other recognized means of identification of medical transport) of the
ship preceded by the single group YYY transmitted in morse on an
appropriate acoustic frequency, e.g. 5kHz.
Parties to a conflict wishing to use the underwater acoustic
identification signal described above shall inform the Parties concerned
of the signal as soon as 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 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 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 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 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.
