Scholarly record

THE VALUE OF LIFE IN ARMED CONFLICTS - MEDICAL RULES OF ELIGIBILITY IN PRACTICE AND ETHICS

T. Vasek, J. Zdara, Z. Suchanek

Abstract

The aim of this article is to describe health care in areas of armed conflict related to medical planning and preventive medicine and, above all, to consider the serious ethical problem in the area of medical support, when, to whom and how to provide health care during armed conflict. In the context of the place and type of armed conflict (we distinguish a symmetric armed conflict - two opposing armies and an asymmetric armed conflict that can be conceived as an encounter in which one side has a surplus of military power and the other has an excess of motivation) there are many interesting questions about providing health care to the local population or wounded enemies. Although the effort to humanize wars and care for the wounded has appeared in history since ancient times, the practical results of these efforts have not been significant. We see a qualitative shift only in the 19th century by the adoption of the Geneva Convention of 1864, when the basis of a system of international treaties creating internationally binding rules for the conduct of wars was laid. Other no less significant merits in the alleviation of the consequences of the war conflict are attributed to the International Committee of the Red Cross, where international humanitarian law is being developed thanks to a tremendous enduring effort and other standards are being adopted that continually reduce the extent of acceptable violence and try to limit it to battle field. The fact that virtually all the countries of the world are parties to the Geneva Conventions is a testament to the success of these efforts, so it can be said that it is a universally valid code. But adhering to it is another and nowadays problematic issue.

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