Considering that, in application of universally recognized principles of human rights for all sorts and conditions of men, a body of minimum rules for the treatment of detained delinquents has been drawn up on the basis of resolutions and recommendations adopted by the Congress of the United Nations, which met for that purpose in Geneva from August 22 to September 3, 1955;

We are pleased to give below the report submitted by the Countess of Limerick, Chairman of the Standing Commission of the International Red Cross, to the Council of Delegates at The Hague on September 6, 1967.

According to the ICRC delegate on the spot working with the Lao Red Cross, a further 25,000 persons fled the fighting areas in the first fortnight of January, to make their way to the region of the Mekongvbasin. Most of them are now in the northern provinces of Houa-Khong, Luang-Prabang and Sayaboury. Many others have sought refuge to the South in the provinces of Savannakhet, Saravane, Attopeu and Sedone. Others again, less numerous, have reached Paksane and Thakek in the central provinces. It is estimated that 15 % of these refugees are men, 25 % women and 60 % children.

Exchange of prisoners.—The Israeli and Egyptian authorities have mutually decided to release all prisoners of war held by them as a result of the conflict in June 1967 and to carry out this exchange as soon as possible at El Kantara.

Miss A. Pfirter, head of the ICRC Nursing Personnel Service, has written a series of articles intended for nurses. She comments on those provisions of the Geneva Conventions which concern particularly military and civilian medical services and their personnel and also on those which regulate the use of the red cross sign.