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Pacts and Promises
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! I am submitting the following to you - to read - to reflect.
I used bing on my laptop and typed in "signatures of the Geneva
Convention." The following is from "Wikipedia - the free encyclopedia."
The Geneva Convention was adopted in 1864 - in Geneva, Switzerland - a
neutral country. It was revised in 1906, 1929, and again in 1949 -
after we "learned a few more things." This treaty is forever linked to
the International Committee of the Red Cross - who instigated the
conventions and enforces the articles in these conventions.
In part, the conventions say that you can not capture or destroy any
establishment treating sick or wounded soldiers. All combatants must be
treated the same - no prejudice. Civilians providing aid to the wounded
or sick must be protected. The Red Cross symbol identifies people and
equipment covered by the agreement.
Article 12 mandates that all wounded and sick soldiers who are out of
battle should be humanely treated, and in particular, should not be
killed, injured, tortured, or subjected to biological experimentation.
This is the keystone of the treaty.
Article 15 mandates that all wounded and sick soldiers are to be
collected, cared for, and be protected, though they might become
prisoners of war.
Article 16 mandates that parties to the conflict record the identity of
the wounded or dead, and transmit this information to the opposing
party.
Article 9 allows the International Red Cross or "any other impartial
humanitarian organization" to provide protection and relief of wounded
and sick soldiers as well as medical and religious personnel. There are
three protocols to the Geneva Convention as of the Wikipedia printing.
Signatures to the 1949 Geneva Convention - all three protocols are:
Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Belize,
Bolivia, Bosnia&Herzeopvina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso,
Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Columbia, Republic of the Congo,
Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Estenia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Monaco,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Togo, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Uruguay.
Signatures to the 1864 Geneva Convention (original one): Argentina,
Austrian Empire, Grand Duchy of Baden, Kingdom of Bavaria, Belgium,
Dynasty of China, Columbia, Congo Free State, Cuba, Denmark, Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Second French Empire, German Empire,
Kingdom of Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Grand Duchy of Hesse, Holy See,
Honduras, Qajar Dynasty of Iran, Kingdom of Italy, Empire of Japan,
Korean Empire, Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Mexico,
Principality of Montenegro, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Orange Free State,
Ottoman Empire, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Kingdom of Portugal, Kingdom of
Prussia, Romania, Russian Empire, Kingdom of Saxony, Principality of
Serbia, Spanish Empire, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, United
Kingdoms of Sweden&Norway, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, and
Kingdom of Wortemburg.
Some of the "signatures" were never ratified - that is adopted into the
signer’s set of laws for that state. I always find the laws we have on
the book humorous. No one seems to know or care that they exist when I
tell them about our Ohio Revised Code and it's application to our daily
life here in Darke County. But, the above is just sickening - to me. I
mean - how would it stand up in a court of law when it is found that a
country signed the 1896 Geneva Convention and did not ratify it? Then
say that country burned a man alive in a cage or water-boarded
prisoners or denied help to a country's armed forces personnel who
called their country for protection since they had none - and no
protection was sent? And my question is - If the Red Cross enforces the
Geneva Convention - what happened to the justice? I'm just wondering.
Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the
furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next
time. Ever Toodles!! MONA
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