Red Cross Proposal To Humanise Warfare

Grey River Argus, 1 September 1948, Page 8

Red Cross Proposal To Humanise Warfare

LONDON, August 30. At its Stockholm conference the International Red Cross unanimously adopted a new convention for the protection of civilians in wartime. It also outlawed the use of atomic weapons. The convention bans concentration~camps, deportations, torture, arrests without charge, and taking hostages. The convention urges the creation of neutralised zones in combat areas to shelter the wounded, sick and noncombatants. The resolution urged all Powers to forbid the use of gases and to outlaw bacteriological warfare and the use of atomic energy or similar forces in warfare. The signatories to the convention will pledge themselves to give prisoners of war adequate food to keep them in good health. The conference asks all Governments to abide by the convention, even if they do not sign them.