2024-03-07 Testimony Ltc. Kahiwalani, Occupied Forces Hawaii Army

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WOUNDED AND SICK 43 they shall organize at the commencement of hostilities an Official Graves Registration Service,to allow subsequent exhumations and to ensure the identification of bodies,whatever the site of the graves, and the possible transportation to the home country. These provisions shall likewise apply to the ashes,which shall be kept by the Graves Registration Service until proper disposal thereof in accordance with the wishes of the home country. As soon as circumstances permit, and at latest at the end of hostilities, these Services shall exchange, through the Information Bureau mentioned in the second paragraph of Article 16, lists showing the exact location and markings of the graves together with particulars of the dead interred therein. ART.18.—The military authorities may appeal to the charity of the Role of the inhabitants voluntarily to collect and care for,under their direction,the population wounded and sick, granting persons who have responded to this appeal the necessary protection and facilities.Should the adverse Party take or retake control of the area,it shall likewise grant these persons the same protection and the same facilities. The military authorities shall permit the inhabitants and relief societies, even in invaded or occupied areas, spontaneously to collect and care for wounded or sick of whatever nationality. The civilian population shall respect these wounded and sick, and in particular abstain from offering them violence. No one may ever be molested or convicted for having nursed the wounded or sick. The provisions of the present Article do not relieve the occupying Power of its obligation to give both physical and moral care to the wounded and sick. CHAPTER III Medical Units and Establishments ART.19. —Fixed establishments and mobile medical units of the Protection Medical Service may in no circumstances be attacked,but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict. Should they fall into the hands of the adverse Party,their personnel shall be free to pursue their duties, as long as the capturing Power has not itself ensured the necessary care of the wounded and sick found in such establishments and units.