Protection of Military Medical Personnel in Armed Conflicts

Medical personnel are entitled to protection in armed conflicts under international law. However, that protection will be lost unless such personnel strictly comply with the requirements set out in the relevant conventions. The authors examine the protection regime available to medical personnel including the regime applicable to hospital ships and medical aircraft. The authors argue that any permanent military medical personnel who engage in hostile acts without being correctly re-assigned permanently from their medical role could be liable for their conduct under the criminal law because they do not possess combatant immunity. The difficulty in re-assigning personnel from medical to non-medical roles and vice versa is examined against the background of the concept of civilians directly participating in hostilities. The authors examine the interpretive guidance issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the significant criticism of that guidance.