asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Government intend to ratify the Geneva Convention of 1949 on the Protection of War Victims and the two protocols thereto of 1977 to which Ireland is a signatory.
Written Answers. - Convention on War Victims.
73.
Four conventions were adopted in Geneva on 12 August 1949 relating to the treatment of the sick in the armed forces in the field, the treatment of wounded, sick and shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea, the treatment of prisoners of war and the treatment of civilian persons in time of war. Effect is given to them in Irish law by the Geneva Conventions Act, 1962. They were ratified on behalf of Ireland on 13 September 1962 and entered into force for Ireland on 27 March 1963. The two protocols additional to these conventions relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts and of non-international armed conflicts were signed on behalf of the Government on 12 December 1977, the day on which these protocols were open for signature. Upon completion of the examination of the measures necessary to give them the force of law, and this may include the enactment of legislation, the Government will be in a position to proceed with the ratification of these protocols.