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for the protection of medical personel and the wounded, sick, and shipwrecked during noninternationalarmed conflict are addressed in Chapter XVII. 37.1.1 Interpretation and Application of Provisions Relating to Medical Issues in theGWS, GWS-Sea, GPW, and GC. The GWS and GWS-Sea underlie most of the internationallaw rules applicable to the United States for: (1) the protection of the wounded, sick,shipwrecked, and dead; (2) the rights, duties, and liabilities of military medical and religiouspersonnel; and (3) the protection of military medical units, facilities, and transports.In addition to the rules of the GWS and GWS-Sea, the GPW also has rules on the medicaltreatment of POWs that may apply to persons who are wounded and sick. 4 The GWS and GWS-Sea, however, have rules for the protection of the wounded, sick, shipwrecked, and dead who arenot POWs (e.g., they are on the battlefield and not in the power of the adverse party, they diedwithout being captured).The GC has provisions relating to the protection of civilians who are wounded, sick,infirm, or maternity cases, and civilian hospitals. 5 The GC also has rules addressing medicalcare for civilians in occupied territory. 67.1.1.1 Interpretation of the GWS and GWS-Sea. As with the GPW and GC, theprovisions of the GWS and GWS-Sea should be interpreted in light of the principles that underliethe treatment of the wounded, sick, shipwrecked, dead, and the medical services, and, inparticular, in light of the goal of promoting the care of the wounded and sick. 7 The subsequentpractice of States in applying the GWS and GWS-Sea could also assist in interpreting theirprovisions because States’ decades of experience in applying the GWS and GWS-Sea may bevery helpful in understanding their requirements. 87.1.1.2 Special Agreements Under the GWS and GWS-Sea. Under the GWS andGWS-Sea, States may conclude a variety of special agreements during international armedconflict to facilitate the protection of the wounded, sick, shipwrecked, and others protected bythe GWS and GWS-Sea. The GWS and GWS-Sea specifically provide for agreements:• to entrust to an effective and impartial organization the duties of the Protecting Powers; 93 Refer to § 17.14 (Protection of the Wounded, Sick, Shipwrecked, and Dead in NIAC); § 17.15 (Protection ofMedical and Religious Personnel and Medical Transports in NIAC).4 Refer to § 9.14 (Medical Attention for Interned POWs).5 Refer to § 7.16 (Protection of Civilians Who Are Wounded, Sick, Infirm, or Expectant Mothers); § 7.17 (CivilianHospitals and Their Personnel).6 Refer to § 11.15 (Public Health and Hygiene).7 Refer to § 9.1.2 (Interpretation and Application of the GPW); § 10.1.1 (Interpretation and Application of the GC).8 Refer to § 1.7.4 (Use of Certain Subsequent Practice in Treaty Interpretation).9 Refer to § 18.15.2.1 (Agreement for an Impartial and Effective Organization to Perform Protecting Power DutiesUnder the 1949 Geneva Conventions).411