This document outlines guidelines for the humane treatment of prisoners of war according to the Geneva Convention. It discusses identifying POWs, inventorying their belongings, housing them separately from other populations with consideration for gender and rank, providing food, medical care, recreation, and labor opportunities. Disciplinary actions against POWs are also limited to non-physical punishments like reduced privileges or brief confinement. The document emphasizes treating POWs with the same respect expected for one's own soldiers and avoiding scandals like Abu Ghraib through strict adherence to international humanitarian law.
1. Attempting to put limitations on wartime behavior has been the reigning topic for
at least the last four years. There are certain guidelines that must be met to ensure the
safety and well-being of our POW’s. Granted, we may not care about them as a person,
but we have the moral and legal responsibility to treat POW’s in a fair and humane way.
We cry foul when it is one of ours, and some people feel that it is okay to mistreat a
prisoner inhumanely. Well it is not fair and it is not legal. Look at the Abu-Ghraib and
Guantanamo scandal that erupted over the mistreatment of prisoners that were being held
there. In Abu Ghraib, one prisoner was forced to lie naked on the floor with a leash
around his neck, and another was forced to simulate sexual acts. In Guantanamo, a
prisoner was reportedly subjected to weeks of sleep deprivation and sexual humiliation.
These techniques were very extreme and more than likely the Detaining Power yielded
no results from this behavior. That is why we have laws such as the Geneva Convention.
These laws were put in to place to not only protect the prisoner but to protect ourselves as
well. The most basic law of the Convention is the treatment and care of prisoners. You
cannot torture or intimidate them, starve them, or use them as human shields. They must
be fed, clothed, provided with basic necessities, given the opportunity to earn monies to
purchase any extras, and above all, treated humanely. You may not like them, but you
must afford them with the same respect that you would expect to receive. The Geneva
Convention is the law that governs the treatment of prisoners of war.
There are certain guidelines and steps that need to be strictly adhered to when
overseeing prisoners of war. Upon capture, the POW is bound only to give his name,
rank, date of birth, military affiliate, or whatever equivalent information that is needed,
2. such as fingerprints. Once you have this information, it should be properly annotated on
an identity card. Card should measure 6.5x 10 cm and issued in duplicate. At no time
should a POW be without his/her identification documents. If the POW refuses to give
you the information that you are seeking, the only recourse you would have is to grant
whatever restrictions that would be placed on a US soldier of similar rank. You must not
allow your emotions to dictate what sort of treatment the POW will receive. After the
POW has been properly identified, a thorough inventory of all their personal belongings
should be conducted. Everything but weapons, military documents and equipment, and
anything deemed harmful to the POW, should remain in their possession. These should
include their gas mask, and personal effects such as pictures, badges of rank, etc. If they
have money in their possession, an officer is the only one who can remove it. After it has
been removed the prisoner should be given a receipt and the monies placed on the POW’s
account.
Once the POW has been properly identified and all personal effects listed, the
POW can now be placed in appropriate area. It must be away from the main camp and
thoroughly sheltered against any bombardments and other hazards. They must be
protected to the fullest extent possible while under your care. When placing POWs, they
should be in area where their fellow soldiers are placed. (Preferably place same
nationalities together, and separate by rank and sex). Their quarters should be clearly
marked the letters PG or PW, to clearly identify the area as a holding camp for prisoners.
If there are any female POWs, they need to be placed well away from the general
population. Special conditions and considerations may need to be given to the female
prisoner. For example, more showers, feminine hygiene products, etc.
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3. Basic daily food rations as well as potable water shall be made available to all
POWs and if possible, any dietary restrictions shall be met. Ideally, the POW should be
permitted to participate in the preparation and handling of their meals, and adequate
premises should be made to accommodate them. Canteens will be set up around the base
camp where they can purchase items such as soap, tobacco candies, paper and stamps,
and other food stuffs. Any money made from these sales will be used to replenish the
canteen. (In the event the camp closes down, all remaining monies shall be given to an
international welfare organization).
Appropriate areas should be set up for showering and elimination. They should be
maintained in a constant state of cleanliness to guard against germ and bacteria buildup.
Every camp shall have an infirmary to ensure POWs get the medical attention they
require. In the event that the POW needs special attention not available at the base
infirmary, they must be admitted to any military or civilian medical unit and treated. If a
POW is disabled, special care and accommodations should be afforded to them. Any
treatment or care that they receive shall be properly annotated on an official document,
and forwarded to the Central Prisoners of War Agency. Any costs that the POW incurs in
the medical facility, shall be paid for by the Detaining Power. Medical inspections will
also be held at least once a month and the POWs weight will be recorded.
POWs may be used as labour as long as they are physically fit. NCO prisoners
should only be required to supervise the other POWs. Officers may not be forced to
perform any type of menial labour, but they may request to be put on a work detail if that
is what they desire. Besides working with the camp administration, POWs can be used as
labour on machinery and in chemical industries (if properly trained), stores, domestic
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4. service, and anything that is not military in nature. The working conditions must be
suitable and include adequate breaks, water, clothing and equipment. And unless the
POW volunteers, they may not be placed on any dangerous or humiliating job details.
They should be allowed to rest for 24 hours at least once per week. This should
preferably be on a Sunday or whatever day is considered a day of rest in their home
country. Additionally, if a POW has worked for one full year, they should receive at least
8 consecutive days off, which they should be paid. Camp commanders must keep an up-
to-date record of all labour detachments and make it available to the International Red
Cross, if asked.
In case disciplinary actions are needed, a POW can be tried by a military court
only, unless otherwise noted. They cannot be punished more than once for the same
offense. Mass punishments are strictly forbidden. Officers, NCOs, and other POWs can
not be treated more severely than members of the same rank of the Detaining Powers.
Article 88 of the Disciplinary Sanctions states: “The disciplinary punishments applicable
to POWs are as follows:
1. A fine which shall not exceed 50% of the advances of pay and working pay which
the POW would otherwise receive under the provisions of Articles 60 and 62
during a period of not more than 30 days.
2. Discontinuance of privileges granted over and above the treatment provided for
by the present Convention.
3. Fatigue duties not exceeding 2 hours daily. (Not applicable to officers).
4. Confinement.
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5. No moral or physical coercion can be exerted on the POW to make him admit guilt. A
POW cannot be confined unless the act committed would result in confinement of their
counterpart. You have to remain fair and impartial at all costs.
If a POW dies while in the care of the Detaining Power, they shall be buried in
separate graves and a death certificate shall be forwarded as soon as possible to the
Prisoner of War Information Bureau. The certificate should show the identity, date and
place of death, cause of death, date and place of burial, and any markers used to identify
the grave. Cremation is only allowed when it is the wish of the POW (religious reasons)
or to prevent the spread of germs and diseases. If this method is carried out, it must be
clearly stated on the death certificate. All deaths or serious injuries caused or suspected of
being caused by anyone other than the POW him/herself shall be followed immediately
by an official inquiry by the Detaining Power.
As you can see it is imperative that we follow the rules and regulations set forth
by the Geneva Convention. Unnecessary punishments, torture, and murder go against our
most basic instinct. The POW falls under our charge and we must ensure that they are
being properly treated and cared for. That includes being properly fed and clothed and
treating them in a respectful manner. We do not need another Abu Ghraib or Guantanamo
on our hands. If in doubt on how to properly treat a POW; just think of how you would
want to treated if it were you.
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