ABSTRACT
Taking as its basis the text of the 1949 Geneva Convention the 1954 Hague Convention includes a provision concerning the protection of personnel, civilian or military, engaged in the protection of cultural property. In comparison with the Geneva Convention, Article 15 of Hague Convention contains one important limitation, namely the reference to military necessity, when it states that such personnel shall be respected 'as far as is consistent with the interests of security'. Under Article 17 of the Convention, personnel assigned to the protection of cultural property may use the distinctive emblem as a means of identification. Under Article 21 of the Regulations for the Execution of the Convention such persons may wear an armlet bearing the distinctive emblem, issued and stamped by the competent authorities. Under Article 24 of the Convention, the High Contracting Parties may conclude special agreements for all matters they feel should be regulated separately, particularly as regards personnel assigned to the protection of cultural property.
