International Law and Conventions
Preservation and progression of recognised international law and conventions is of utmost importance to the people of Schwerdt. The rule of law is the basis of civilised co-existence in the modern, complex world. To this end, Schwerdt supports the principle of an international court of justice and pledges to aid and take part in any and all international meetings convened on behalf of civilised nations and their people.
Several internationally recognised principles, though perhaps not codified, are at the foundation of key Schwerdtan state policy.
Treatment of Non-combatants and Prisoners of War
Non-combatants in war time and war zones are victims of unfortunate circumstances. While the modern, complex society, with its division of labor, blurs the definition of civilian as non-combatant, belligerents bear the responsibility of exempting non-combatants from military action. The citizenry of a country should not be penalised for the actions of a government. Military forces and occupation governments must, therefore, not violate the basic human rights of non-combatants in their areas of operations.
Similarly, prisoners of war are also victims of circumstances; they are not criminals, with rare exceptions. By virtue of their status as captives, prisoners of war are no longer combatants. As such, they must be granted all reasonable respect, consideration, and priviledges, according to their rank and the capability of the confining government. At a minimum, all prisoners of war must be entitled to adequate food, clothing, and shelter, as well as contact with their families. Prisoners of war should not be forced to perform labor, especially in support of the captor's ability to wage war on the captives' home nation or its allies.
International Society of the Blue Shield
By its very nature, the International Society of the Blue Shield (ISBS) and its affiliated national Blue Shield organisations serve universal humanitarian objectives which supersede national platforms. Governments and their representatives, including military forces, must, therefore, respect and, to the degree possible or demanded of civilised people, safeguard ISBS-affiliated agencies, their symbols, and personnel.
Similar considerations should be extended to Scandian United Nations and Humanitarian Relief Fund sponsored and other governmental and non-governmental organisations whose purpose is humanitarian and relief services.
