South Africa
Practice Relating to Rule 115. Disposal of the Dead
Section D. Burial in individual or collective graves
South Africa’s LOAC Teaching Manual (2008) states:
Search for Casualties
[1949] Geneva Convention I article 15 stipulates that the Parties to the conflict must, at all times, particularly after an engagement, without delay, take all possible measures to[:]
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- search for the dead and prevent their being despoiled.
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Burial of the Dead
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- Bodies must, wherever possible, be buried in separate graves.
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Search for Casualties (Article 18 [1949] Geneva Convention II)
- After every engagement at sea all possible measures must be taken to search for and collect the dead, wounded, sick and shipwrecked.
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- Burial of the Dead
- Burial can take place at sea (individually if circumstances permit).
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- If the bodies are brought ashore, the prescriptions of Geneva Convention I, regarding burial at land, will apply.