France
Practice Relating to Rule 110. Treatment and Care of the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked
France’s LOAC Summary Note (1992) provides that the “wounded, sick and shipwrecked shall be … cared for … by the Party to the conflict in whose power they may be”.
France’s LOAC Teaching Note (2000) provides that the “wounded, sick and shipwrecked shall be … cared for … by the Party to the conflict in whose power they may be”.
France’s LOAC Manual (2001) provides that the “authorities are responsible for the health and physical integrity of the persons in their power. They commit war crimes if they refuse to provide them with medical care or if they deliberately place their health in danger.”
France’s Code of Defence (2004), as amended in 2008, states: “Combatants must … protect and care for the wounded, sick and shipwrecked”.
Under the instructions given to the French armed forces for the conduct of Opération Mistral, simulating a military operation under the right of self-defence or a mandate of the UN Security Council, “the wounded and sick, whether civilian or military, must be respected, collected, respected and cared for”.
France’s LOAC Manual (2001) states with regard to the wounded and sick: “The law of armed conflicts does not allow any distinction other than that based on medical needs.”
France’s Code of Defence (2004), as amended in 2008, states: “Combatants must … protect and care for the wounded, sick and shipwrecked without any discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, religion, nationality, ideology or ethnic group.”