Chapter 4: The emblems
ACTIVITY: EMBLEM MISUSE ON AMBULANCES IN AFGHANISTAN
What kind of misuse does such an attack constitute?
Improper use.
Imitation.
Perfidy.
Incorrect answer!
Using an ambulance to deceive the adversary and carry out an attack constitutes perfidy. This is strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law.
Incorrect answer!
Using an ambulance to deceive the adversary and carry out an attack constitutes perfidy. This is strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law.
Correct answer!
"Using an ambulance to deceive the adversary and carry out an attack constitutes perfidy. This is strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law and is totally unacceptable" said Jacques de Maio, the ICRC's head of operations for South Asia at the time.
By violating the neutrality of health-care services, such acts of deception endanger medical personnel engaged in caring for the wounded and sick in hospitals, clinics and rural health posts. "They undermine the delivery of and access to health care, which is already precarious for ordinary Afghans in many parts of the country as a result of the conflict," added Mr de Maio.