First Novrith Convention
The First Novrith Convention was a treaty signed in Novrith, Myroria on July 14, 1864. It defines laws concerning medical care on the battlefield, and defined for the first time what a war crime is. It was signed and ratified by Myroria and Eluvatar, and the Democratic States of America signed it but did not ratify it because of the Slaveholders' Rebellion that was ongoing at the time. The Democratic States later ratified the Convention in 1868, not long after the war's end.
Text of the First Novrith Convention
Article 1
The signatories of this treaty agree to abide by the rules of conduct as defined in article one of this treaty.
Section 1
All armies, militias, and/or volunteer corps shall:
- Be commanded by a person responsible for their subordinates.
- Carry an emblem that is easily identifiable at a long distance or in battlefield conditions.
- Carry arms openly and without concealment.
- Abide by the laws of war as defined in this treaty.
Additionally, in nations or countries where militias and/or volunteer corps constitute the army, they shall be included in the denomination "army".
Section 2
On prisoners of war:
Subsection 1
- Prisoners of war are in the power of the hostile government, but must not in the individuals or corps who captured them.
- Prisoners of war may be interred in camps, cities, towns, fortresses, or any other locality, and bound not to go beyond certain limits.
- However, prisoners of war may only be confined as a matter of utmost safety.
- If prisoners of war are subject to forced labor, they must be paid for their services to the hostile Government.
- Prisoners of war may not, under any circumstances, be forced or allowed to fight against their own government on behalf of that which captured them.
- Prisoners of war are subject to the laws, regulations, and orders of the state which has captured them.
Subsection 2
- The hostile Government shall not take from prisoners of war personal belongings, except horses (or other modes of transportation), firearms or other weapons, and military papers.
- If the prisoner of war is of a lycanthrope or other non-human species, the hostile Government may restrict their ability to harm other sentient entities with their own bodies; however, this restriction must be dignified and not discriminatory.
- Prisoners who escape, but are recaptured before rejoining their army or leaving hostile controlled land, may be subject to disciplinary punishment.
- However, if a prisoner escapes, rejoins his army, and is then recaptured, he may not be subject to punishment for his previous flight.
Subsection 3
- Prisoners of war may be granted parole by the Government that has captured them.
- However, prisoners of war are not required to accept this parole and must not be discriminated against for this refusal.
- Prisoners of war shall be allowed the free and unrestricted exercise of their religion, unless the exercise of this religion poses a valid safety threat to the prison personnel or other prisoners of war.
- If a prisoner dies in the care of a hostile Government, he must be buried or otherwise disposed of with dignity according to his culture, and the government must pay in full to the deceased's family salary according to his pay grade or rank.
- Gifts from family or government must be given to the prisoner of war without being subject to tax or restriction.
- Finally, at the end of war, prisoners of war must be returned to their home nation with haste and as much speed as possible.
Section 3
On means of injuring the enemy:
- The right of belligerents to adopt means to injure the enemy is not unlimited.
- Belligerents may not use poisoned bullets or weapons to injure the enemy.
- Belligerents may not kill a member of the foreign army or nation treacherously.
- Belligerents may not kill a member of the foreign army who has laid down his arms and surrendered.
- Belligerents may not declare that no quarter shall be given.
- Belligerents may not employ means to injure the enemy superfluously.
- Belligerents shall not make improper use of a foreign nation's flag, badge, or other means of identification, or identify as a medical officer improperly (as defined in Article 2 of this treaty)
- Belligerents may not knowingly besiege or bombard settlements which are without defense.
Section 4
The signatories define the following as war crimes:
Subsection 1
A crime against peace is defined as an unprovoked war of aggression against a sovereign state by another. Members of the aggressor state who knowingly declared such a war may be tried by an international court.
Subsection 2
Genocide is defined as the willful and systematic extermination of a foreign culture. Members of the aggressor state who participate in the crime of genocide may be tried by an international court.
Subsection 3
Gendercide is defined as the willful and systematic extermination of a single gender of a foreign state, in an attempt to deplete their will or ability to fight. Members of the aggressor state who participate in the crime of gendercide may be tried by an international court.
Subsection 4
Any belligerent state shall not, under any circumstances, force carnal knowledge upon the populace of a foreign nation. Likewise, no nation may allow the intentional murder of an innocent civilian of a foreign nation. Individual soldiers who participate in either act may be tried by an international or national court, and the member of any government which allows such debauchery may be tried by an international court.
Article 2
On ambulances and field hospitals, and other medical care on the battlefield:
Section 1
Ambulances, field hospitals, and medical personnel are defined as neutral under international law and may not be fired upon. Belligerent nations which do so may have those responsible be tried before an international court.
Section 2
- A distinctive and uniform flag shall be adopted for hospitals, ambulances and evacuation parties. It should in all circumstances be accompanied by the national flag.
- An armlet may also be worn by personnel enjoying neutrality but its issue shall be left to the military authorities.
- Both flag and armlet shall bear a white cross on a red ground.
Section 3
- Wounded or sick combatants, to whatever nation they may belong, shall be collected and cared for.
- Commanders-in-Chief may hand over immediately to the enemy outposts enemy combatants wounded during an engagement, when circumstances allow and subject to the agreement of both parties.
- Those who, after their recovery, are recognized as being unfit for further service, shall be repatriated.
- The others may likewise be sent back, on condition that they shall not again, for the duration of hostilities, take up arms.
- Evacuation parties, and the personnel conducting them, shall be considered as being absolutely neutral.
Section 4
- Inhabitants of the country who bring help to the wounded shall be respected and shall remain free. Generals of the belligerent Powers shall make it their duty to notify the inhabitants of the appeal made to their humanity, and of the neutrality which humane conduct will confer.
- The presence of any wounded combatant receiving shelter and care in a house shall ensure its protection. An inhabitant who has given shelter to the wounded shall be exempted from billeting and from a portion of such war contributions as may be levied.
The following are signatories to this treaty as of its completion on July the fourteenth, the Year of Our Lord eighteen hundred and sixty four:
The following are signatories to this treaty after its completion on July the fourteenth:
