United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Practice Relating to Rule 138. The Elderly, Disabled and Infirm
The UK Military Manual (1958) provides: “The belligerents should endeavour to conclude local agreements for the removal from besieged or encircled areas of … old persons”.
The UK LOAC Pamphlet (1981) provides: “A local cease-fire may be arranged for the removal from besieged or encircled areas of … old persons”.
The UK Military Manual (1958) provides:
Special protection and respect must be given to … the infirm …
The belligerents shall endeavour to conclude local agreements for the removal from besieged or encircled areas of … [the] infirm …
Convoys of vehicles or hospital trains on land, and specially provided vessels at sea, conveying … the infirm … must be protected and respected in the same way as civilian hospitals.
The UK Government Strategy on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict (2010) states: “Specific population groups such as … the disabled benefit from additional protection provided for in specific conventions.”