HUMANITARIAN LAW Principles common to the four Geneva Conventions and the two additional Protocols (continued) ● Reprisals against the wounded, sick and shipwrecked, medical personnel and services, prisoners of war, civilians, civilian and cultural objects, the natural environment and works containing dangerous forces are prohibited ● No one may renounce or be forced to renounce protection under humanitarian law ● Protected persons must at all times have resort to a protecting power (a neutral State safeguarding their interests) or to the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) or any other impartial humanitarian organization OHCHR Police Trainer’s Guide Session 9 (Armed Conflict)/2 127