I am going to be presenting about prisoners of war, specifically what constitutes a POW and what can and can’t happen to them under the Geneva Convention. I will only be talking about Article 13, the treatment of POW’s, Article 26, the food rations, and labour and article 53 about the legal and moral purpose of this issue and its strategic/security importance. Throughout, there will be many references to ICRC, which is the International committee of the Red Cross.
Firstly, we need to define what a POW is. A POW is defined as a member of an armed force adding to a conflict, including militias or volunteer corps (ICRC, 1949 convention 3). They can be either in or outside of their own territory to be detained as a POW, provided that they meet …show more content…
Any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited. In particular, no prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned and carried out in his interest. Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity. Measures of reprisal against prisoners of war are also prohibited.
Unfortunately, there is no clear distinction on who enforces the prohibition of such acts, making all the articles for POW’s be made to be enforced on a “good faith system” during war, until they report to the United Nations and the International Courts and are dealt a sentence that reflects the states war …show more content…
This is extremely important as it shows the other side some compassion, or kindness, not just that you want to win at all costs. Morally this is correct because as soon as someone becomes a non-combatant (eg, putting their rifle down) but you as a state do not just want to let them go back to their government, but nor do you want to kill an unarmed prisoner, and thus violate IHL. Using prisoners for labour gets them to do something, not just feel like a prisoner and waiting around until the war is over. Also, letting them prepare their own food and accommodation allows them to be more self-sustained, not using up valuable assets of the detaining
Firstly, we need to define what a POW is. A POW is defined as a member of an armed force adding to a conflict, including militias or volunteer corps (ICRC, 1949 convention 3). They can be either in or outside of their own territory to be detained as a POW, provided that they meet …show more content…
Any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited. In particular, no prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned and carried out in his interest. Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity. Measures of reprisal against prisoners of war are also prohibited.
Unfortunately, there is no clear distinction on who enforces the prohibition of such acts, making all the articles for POW’s be made to be enforced on a “good faith system” during war, until they report to the United Nations and the International Courts and are dealt a sentence that reflects the states war …show more content…
This is extremely important as it shows the other side some compassion, or kindness, not just that you want to win at all costs. Morally this is correct because as soon as someone becomes a non-combatant (eg, putting their rifle down) but you as a state do not just want to let them go back to their government, but nor do you want to kill an unarmed prisoner, and thus violate IHL. Using prisoners for labour gets them to do something, not just feel like a prisoner and waiting around until the war is over. Also, letting them prepare their own food and accommodation allows them to be more self-sustained, not using up valuable assets of the detaining