This document outlines the legal requirements for handling captured personnel according to the Law of War. It discusses that captured personnel must be searched, silenced, segregated, safeguarded, and speedily evacuated to the rear areas. Prisoners of war must be treated humanely without torture, coercion, or physical and mental abuse. All captured personnel must receive equal treatment regardless of attributes like race or nationality.

1. Unclassified
LAW OF WAR
Jose Ramirez
EME 6936.799S13 Internet In Education
Unclassified
1

2. Terminal Learning Objective
Action: Identify what actions are legal and
what actions are illegal as they relate to the
treatment of captured personnel.
Condition: Given FM 27-10, Quick Reference
to Geneva Convention, and the student
handout.
Standards: IAW FM 27-10 to within 70%
accuracy.
2

3. Safety Requirements
NONE
Risk Assessment Level
IV E-LOW
Environment Considerations
NONE
Evaluation
Student Checks
Testable Block of Instruction
Performance
3

4. Procedure
Sources of Law
Initial Handling Captured Personnel
Treatment of Captured Personnel
Status of Captured Personnel
Preventing War Crimes
4

5. Sources of Law
Customary Laws, 1625 Book
International Treaties
Hague Conventions, 1907
Geneva Conventions, 1949
FM 27-10, Law of Land Warfare
Rules of Engagement
UCMJ
5

6. Initial Handling of
Captured Personnel
Handling of Surrendering Personnel?
The 5 S’s
Search, Silence, Segregate Safeguard, & Speed to the Rear
Evacuation of Captives (GPW, Art. 19; FM 27-10, para. 95)
Timely Evacuation, ASAP
Delayed Evacuation
Protection / Humane Treatment
POW Camps (GPW, Art. 23; FM 27-10, para. 99)
Security of POWs
Markings of POW Camps
Notification of Location of POW Camps
6

7. Humane Treatment
(GPW, Art. 13, 20, 27; FM 27-10, para. 88 - 96, 266)
Everyone is Entitled
No Degrading or Humiliating Treatment
Protected From Violence & Intimidation
Shielded From Insults & Public Curiosity
Given Respect for Their Persons & Honors
No Reprisals Allowed
7

8. Torture and Coercion
(GPS, Art. 13,; GPW, Art. 13, 17; GC, Art. 31, 32;
FM 24-10, para. 93; FM 34-52, p. 1-8)
POWs “may NOT be threatened, insulted, or
exposed to disadvantageous treatment of
ANY kind.”
Torture?
“The infliction of intense pain to body or mind to
extract a confession or information, or for sadistic
pleasure.” “Free Will”
Coercion?
“Actions designed to unlawfully induce another to
commit an act against one’s will.”
8

9. Physical Torture
(FM 34-52, p. 1-8)
Electric Shock
Pain Through Chemicals
Pain Through Bondage
Legitimate Use of Restraints to Prevent Escapes
Forced to Stand, Sit, or Kneel in Abnormal
Positions for Prolonged Periods of Time
Food Deprivation
Any Form of Beating
9

10. Mental Torture
(FM 34-52, p. 1-8)
Mock Executions
Abnormal Sleep Deprivations
Chemically Induced Psychosis
10

11. Coercion
(FM 34-52, p. 1-8)
Threatening or Implying Physical or Mental
Torture to the Subject, His Family, or Others
to Whom He Owes Loyalty.
Intentionally Denying Medical Assistance or
Care in Exchange for Information Sought or
Other Cooperation.
Threatening or Implying that Other Rights
Guaranteed by the Geneva Conventions Will
NOT be Provided Unless Cooperation is
Forthcoming. 11

12. Equal Treatment
(GPW, Art. 16; FM 27-10, para 92)
Required Regardless of Race, Religious
Beliefs, Nationality, Political Opinions, or
Other Distinctions Based on Similar Criteria.
May Be Segregated in Order to Maintain Order
in the Camp, to Impose Punishment, for
Medical Reasons or Protection.
Women must have separate facilities and be
treated as favorably as men.
12

13. Questions?
13