Subject
to the provisions of the third paragraph of this Article, Parties
to the conflict are bound to send back to their own country, regardless
of number or rank, seriously wounded and seriously sick prisoners
of war, after having cared for them until they are fit to travel,
in
accordance with the first paragraph of the following Article.
Throughout
the duration of hostilities, Parties to the conflict shall endeavour,
with the cooperation of the neutral Powers concerned, to make arrangements
for the accommodation in neutral countries of the sick and wounded
prisoners of war referred to in the second paragraph of the following
Article. They may, in addition, conclude agreements with a view
to the direct repatriation or internment in a neutral country of
able-bodied prisoners of war who have undergone a long period of
captivity.
No sick
or injured prisoner of war who is eligible for repatriation under
the first paragraph of this Article, may be repatriated against
his will during hostilities.
