Canada
Practice Relating to Rule 111. Protection of the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked against Pillage and Ill-Treatment
Canada’s LOAC Manual (1999) states that “the parties to a conflict must protect the wounded, sick and shipwrecked against pillage and ill-treatment” in both international and non-international armed conflicts.
Canada’s Code of Conduct (2001) provides that, following an engagement, there is an obligation to protect the sick, wounded and civilians against theft and ill-treatment. It further states: “The personal property of sick and wounded … shall not be taken.”
Canada’s LOAC Manual (2001) states in its chapter on the treatment of the wounded, sick and shipwrecked: “The parties to a conflict must protect the wounded, sick and shipwrecked from pillage and ill-treatment and ensure their adequate care.”
In its chapter on non-international armed conflicts, the manual states: “After any engagement and whenever circumstances permit, all possible steps must be taken without delay to search for and collect the wounded, sick and shipwrecked [and] to protect them against pillage and ill-treatment”.
Canada’s Code of Conduct (2005) states:
Following an engagement in which you were involved, you have an obligation, without delay, to take all possible measures to search for and collect the wounded and sick from all sides, opposing forces or not, as well as civilians … This includes the obligation to protect them against theft and ill-treatment …
The Code of Conduct further instructs: “The personal property of sick and wounded, detained persons and the dead shall not be taken.”
Canada’s National Defence Act (1985) provides: “Every person who … steals from, or with intent to steal searches, the person of any person … wounded, in the course of warlike operations, … is guilty of [an] offence.”