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{{Short description|1929 international agreement outlining rules for the humane treatment of prisoners-of-war (POWs)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Primary sources|date=December 2017}}
{{Primary sources|date=December 2017}}
{{wikisource}}
{{Wikisource}}
[[File:Les Conventions De Geneve De 1929 (14676813964).jpg|thumb|Front page of a French edition of the 1929 Geneva Convention]]
'''The Geneva Convention (1929)''' was signed at Geneva, July 27, 1929. Its official name is the '''Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Geneva July 27, 1929'''. It entered into force 19 June 1931.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/INTRO/305?OpenDocument|title=Treaties, States parties, and Commentaries - Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, 1929|website=ihl-databases.icrc.org|access-date=2019-06-07}}</ref> It is this version of the [[Geneva Conventions]] which covered the treatment of [[prisoners of war]] during [[World War II]]. It is the predecessor of the [[Third Geneva Convention]] signed in 1949.
[[File:RGBl Genf 1929.jpg|thumb|Bilingual French/German version of the 1929 Geneva Convention, from a 1934 edition of the ''[[Reichsgesetzblatt]]'']]

The '''Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War''' was signed at Geneva, July 27, 1929.<ref> https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/gc-pow-1929 </ref><ref> https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/assets/treaties/305-IHL-GC-1929-2-EN.pdf </ref> Its official name is the '''Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War'''. It entered into force 19 June 1931.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/INTRO/305?OpenDocument|title=Treaties, States parties, and Commentaries - Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, 1929|website=ihl-databases.icrc.org|access-date=2019-06-07}}</ref> It is this version of the [[Geneva Conventions]] which covered the treatment of [[prisoners of war]] during [[World War II]]. It is the predecessor of the [[Third Geneva Convention]] signed in 1949.<ref> https://www.refworld.org/legal/agreements/icrc/1949/en/35606 </ref>


On their web site, the [[International Committee of the Red Cross]] states that:
On their web site, the [[International Committee of the Red Cross]] states that:
{{quote|Provisions concerning the treatment of prisoners of war are contained in the [[Hague Conventions (1899 and 1907)|Hague Regulations of 1899 and 1907]]. In the course of [[World War I]] they revealed several deficiencies as well as a lack of precision. Such defects were partly overcome by special agreements made between belligerents in Berne in 1917 and 1918. In 1921, the International Red Cross Conference held at Geneva expressed the wish that a special convention on the treatment of prisoners of war be adopted. The International Committee of the Red Cross drew up a draft convention which was submitted to the Diplomatic Conference convened at Geneva in 1929. The Convention does not replace but only completes the provisions of the Hague regulations. The most important innovations consisted in the prohibition of reprisals and collective penalties, the organization of prisoners' work, the designation, by the prisoners, of representatives and the control exercised by [[Protecting power|protecting Powers]].<ref>[http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/INTRO/305?OpenDocument Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War]. Geneva, 27 July 1929</ref>}}
{{Blockquote|Provisions concerning the treatment of prisoners of war are contained in the [[Hague Conventions (1899 and 1907)|Hague Regulations of 1899 and 1907]]. In the course of [[World War I]] they revealed several deficiencies as well as a lack of precision. Such defects were partly overcome by special agreements made between belligerents in Berne in 1917 and 1918. In 1921, the International Red Cross Conference held at Geneva expressed the wish that a special convention on the treatment of prisoners of war be adopted. The International Committee of the Red Cross drew up a draft convention which was submitted to the Diplomatic Conference convened at Geneva in 1929. The Convention does not replace but only completes the provisions of the Hague regulations. The most important innovations consisted in the prohibition of reprisals and collective penalties, the organization of prisoners' work, the designation, by the prisoners, of representatives and the control exercised by [[Protecting power|protecting Powers]].<ref>[http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/INTRO/305?OpenDocument Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War]. Geneva, 27 July 1929</ref>}}


==General provisions==
==General provisions==
Article 1 makes explicit reference to Articles 1, 2, and 3 of ''Hague Convention respecting the [[laws and customs of war]] on land ([[Hague Conventions (1899 and 1907)#Hague Convention of 1907|Hague IV]]),<ref name="HagueIV">[http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/hague04.htm Laws of War on Land (Hague IV); October 18, 1907]</ref> of October 18, 1907'', to define who are [[Lawful combatant#Privileged combatants|lawful combatant]]s and so qualify as prisoners of war (POW) on capture. In addition to combatants covered by Hague IV, some civilians are also covered in the section of this Convention called the "[[#Application of the Convention to certain classes of civilians|Application of the Convention to certain classes of civilians]]".
Article 1 makes explicit reference to Articles 1, 2, and 3 of ''Hague Convention respecting the [[laws and customs of war]] on land ([[Hague Conventions (1899 and 1907)#Hague Convention of 1907|Hague IV]]),<ref name="HagueIV">{{Cite web |url=http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/hague04.htm |title=Laws of War on Land (Hague IV); October 18, 1907 |access-date=21 March 2006 |archive-date=25 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525082008/http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/lawofwar/hague04.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> of October 18, 1907'', to define who are [[Lawful combatant#Privileged combatants|lawful combatant]]s and so qualify as prisoners of war (POW) on capture. In addition to combatants covered by Hague IV, some civilians are also covered in the section of this Convention called the "[[#Application of the Convention to certain classes of civilians|Application of the Convention to certain classes of civilians]]".


Articles 2, 3, and 4 specifies that POWs are prisoners of the Power which holds them and not prisoners of the unit which takes their surrender; that POWs have the right to honor and respect, and that women shall be treated with all the regard due to their sex, and that prisoners of a similar category must be treated in the same way.
Articles 2, 3, and 4 specifies that POWs are prisoners of the Power which holds them and not prisoners of the unit which takes their surrender; that POWs have the right to honor and respect, and that women shall be treated with all the regard due to their sex, and that prisoners of a similar category must be treated in the same way.


==Capture==
==Capture==
Line 19: Line 24:


===Evacuation of prisoners of war===
===Evacuation of prisoners of war===
Articles 7 and 8 states that prisoners should be evacuated from the [[combat]] zone within the shortest possible period, and that Belligerents are bound mutually to notify each other of their capture of prisoners within the shortest period possible.
Articles 7 and 8 states that prisoners should be evacuated from the [[combat]] zone within the shortest possible period, and that belligerents are bound mutually to notify each other of their capture of prisoners within the shortest period possible.


===Prisoner of war camps===
===Prisoner of war camps===
Articles 9 and 10 covers the type of camp in which POWs can be detained. They must be constructed in such a way so that the conditions are similar to those used by the belligerent's own soldiers in base camps. The camps must be located in healthy locations and away from the combat zone. Also, "Belligerents shall, so far as possible, avoid assembling in a single camp prisoners of different races or nationalities." Prisoners may not be used as [[human shields]] by being sent to an area where they would be exposed to the fire of the fighting zone or be employed to render by their presence certain points or areas immune from [[bombardment]].
Articles 9 and 10 covers the type of camp in which POWs can be detained. They must be constructed in such a way so that the conditions are similar to those used by the belligerent's own soldiers in base camps. The camps must be located in healthy locations and away from the combat zone. Also, "Belligerents shall, so far as possible, avoid assembling in a single camp prisoners of different races or nationalities." Prisoners may not be used as [[human shields]] by being sent to an area where they would be exposed to the fire of the fighting zone or be employed to render by their presence certain points or areas immune from [[bombardment]].


Articles 11, 12, and 13 states, "Food must be of a similar quality and quantity to that of the Belligerent's own soldiers, and POWs cannot be denied food as a punishment; A canteen selling local produce and products should be provided. Adequate clothing should be provided; and that sanitary service in camps should be more than sufficient to prevent epidemics."
Articles 11, 12, and 13 states, "Food must be of a similar quality and quantity to that of the belligerent's own soldiers, and POWs cannot be denied food as a punishment; A canteen selling local produce and products should be provided. Adequate clothing should be provided; and that sanitary service in camps should be more than sufficient to prevent epidemics."


Articles 14 and 15 covers the provision of medical facilities in each camp.
Articles 14 and 15 covers the provision of medical facilities in each camp.
Line 39: Line 44:


===Labour of prisoners of war===
===Labour of prisoners of war===
Articles 27 to 34 covers labour by prisoners of war. Work must fit the rank and health of the prisoners. The work must not be war-related and must be safe work. Remuneration will be agreed between the Belligerents and will belong to the prisoner who carries out the work.
Articles 27 to 34 covers labour by prisoners of war. Work must fit the rank and health of the prisoners. The work must not be war-related and must be safe work. Remuneration will be agreed between the belligerents and will belong to the prisoner who carries out the work.


===Prisoners' relations with the authorities===
===Prisoners' relations with the authorities===
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Articles 82 to 97 covers the implementation of this convention. Articles 82 and 83 contained two important clauses. "In case, in time of war, one of the belligerents is not a party to the Convention, its provisions shall nevertheless remain in force as between the belligerents who are parties thereto", and that the provisions of this convention continue to cover prisoners of war after hostilities up to their repatriation unless the belligerents agree otherwise or a more favorable regime replaces it.
Articles 82 to 97 covers the implementation of this convention. Articles 82 and 83 contained two important clauses. "In case, in time of war, one of the belligerents is not a party to the Convention, its provisions shall nevertheless remain in force as between the belligerents who are parties thereto", and that the provisions of this convention continue to cover prisoners of war after hostilities up to their repatriation unless the belligerents agree otherwise or a more favorable regime replaces it.


==Annex to the Convention of May 27, 1929 relative to the treatment of prisoners of war==
==Annex to the Convention of May 27, 1929, relative to the treatment of prisoners of war==
The annex added detail to the provisions covering repatriation and hospitalization.
The annex added detail to the provisions covering repatriation and hospitalization.
Art. 27. Belligerents may employ as workmen prisoners of war who are physically fit, other than officers and
persons of equivalent statue, according to their rink and their ability.
Nevertheless, if officers or persons of equivalent status ask for suitable work, this shall be found for them as
far as possible.
Non-commissioned officers who are prisoners of war may be compelled to undertake only supervisory work,
unless they expressly request remunerative occupation.
During the whole period of captivity, belligerents are required to admit prisoners of war who are victims of
accidents at work to the benefit of provisions applicable to workmen of the same category under the
legislation of the detaining Power. As regards prisoners of war to whom these legal provisions could not be
applied by reason of the legislation of that Power, the latter undertakes to recommend to its legislative body
all proper measures for the equitable compensation of the victims.
CHAPTER 2
Organization of work
Art. 28. The detaining Power shall assume entire responsibility for the maintenance, care, treatment and the
payment of the wages of prisoners of war working for private individuals.
Art. 29. No prisoner of war may be employed on work for which he is physically unsuited.
Art. 30. The duration of the daily work of prisoners of war, including the time of the journey to and from work,
shall not be excessive and shall in no case exceed that permitted for civil workers of the locality employed on
the same work. Each prisoner shall be allowed a rest of twenty-four consecutive hours each week, preferably
on Sunday.
CHAPTER 3
Prohibited work
Art. 31. Work done by prisoners of war shall have no direct connection with the operations of the war. In
particular, it is forbidden to employ prisoners in the manufacture or transport of arms or munitions of any kind,
or on the transport of material destined for combatant units.
In the event of violation of the provisions of the preceding paragraph, prisoners are at liberty, after performing
or commencing to perform the order, to have their complaints presented through the intermediary of the
prisoners' representatives whose functions are described in Articles 43 an 44, or, in the absence of a
prisoners' representative, through the intermediary of the representatives of the protecting Power.
Art. 32. It is forbidden to employ prisoners of war on unhealthy or dangerous work. Conditions of work shall
not be rendered more arduous by disciplinary measures.
CHAPTER 4
Labour detachments
Art. 33. Conditions governing labour detachments shall be similar to those of prisoners-of-war camps,
particularly as concerns hygienic conditions, food, care in case of accidents or sickness, correspondence,
and the reception of parcels.
Every labour detachment shall be attached to a prisoners' camp. The commander of this camp shall be
responsible for the observance in the labour detachment of the provisions of the present Convention.
CHAPTER 5
Pay
Art. 34. Prisoners of war shall not receive pay for work in connection with the administration, internal
arrangement and maintenance of camps.
Prisoners employed on other work shall be entitled to a rate of pay, to be fixed by agreements between the
belligerents.
These agreements shall also specify the portion which may be retained by the camp administration, the
amount which shall belong to the prisoner of war and the manner in which this amount shall be placed at his
disposal during the period of his captivity.
Pending the conclusion of the said agreements, remuneration of the work of prisoners shall be fixed
according to the following standards:
(a) Work done for the State shall be paid for according to the rates in force for soldiers of the national forces
doing the same work, or, if no such rates exist, according to a tariff corresponding to the work executed.
(b) When the work is done for other public administrations or for private individuals, the conditions shall be
settled in agreement with the military authorities.


==Footnotes==
==Parties==

{{reflist}}
The following countries have either signed or ratified the Convention:<ref name=":icrc-cnv-parties-1929">{{Cite web|url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/States.xsp?xp_viewStates=XPages_NORMStatesParties&xp_treatySelected=305|title=Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva, 27 July 1929.|website=ihl-databases.icrc.org|access-date=2020-02-08}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Country
! Signed
![[Ratification]] / Accession{{refn|group=note|This means instead of signing and then ratifying the treaty, any State may become party to it by the single act called accession.<ref name=":icrc-cnv-parties-1929" /> }} or <br> Reservation/ [[Declaration (law)|Declaration]]{{NoteTag|An any statement made by a State during accession, succession or ratification that modifies way of application of certain provisions of convention. Checkout the source for more accurate definition.<ref name=":icrc-cnv-parties-1929" />}}
|-
| Argentina ||   || 05.03.1945
|-
| Australia || 27.07.1929 || 23.06.1931
|-
| Austria || 27.07.1929 || 13.03.1936
|-
| Belgium || 27.07.1929 || 12.05.1932
|-
| Bolivia || 27.07.1929 || 13.08.1940
|-
| Brazil || 27.07.1929 || 23.03.1932
|-
| Bulgaria || 27.07.1929 || 13.10.1937
|-
| Canada || 27.07.1929 || 20.02.1933
|-
| Chile || 27.07.1929 || 01.06.1933
|-
| Republic of China || 27.07.1929 || 19.11.1935
|-
| Colombia || 27.07.1929 || 05.06.1941
|-
| Czechoslovakia || 27.07.1929 || 12.10.1937
|-
| Denmark || 27.07.1929 || 05.08.1932
|-
| Egypt || 27.07.1929 || 25.07.1933
|-
| El Salvador ||   || 22.04.1942
|-
| Estonia || 27.07.1929 || 11.06.1936
|-
| Fiji ||   || 09.08.1971
|-
| France || 27.07.1929 || 21.08.1935
|-
| Germany || 27.07.1929 || 21.02.1934
|-
| Greece || 27.07.1929 || 28.05.1935
|-
| Hungary || 27.07.1929 || 10.09.1936
|-
| India || 27.07.1929 || 23.06.1931
|-
| Indonesia ||   || 05.06.1959
|-
| Iraq ||   || 29.05.1934
|-
| Israel ||   || 03.08.1948
|-
| Italy || 27.07.1929 || 24.03.1931
|-
| Jordan ||   || 09.03.1949
|-
| Latvia || 27.07.1929 || 14.10.1931
|-
| Liechtenstein ||   || 11.01.1944
|-
| Lithuania ||   || 27.02.1939
|-
| Mexico || 27.07.1929 || 01.08.1932
|-
| Monaco ||   || 17.03.1948
|-
| Myanmar ||   || 01.04.1937
|-
| Netherlands || 27.07.1929 || 05.10.1932
|-
| New Zealand || 27.07.1929 || 23.06.1931
|-
| Norway || 27.07.1929 || 24.06.1931
|-
| Pakistan ||   || 02.02.1948
|-
| Papua New Guinea ||   || 26.05.1976
|-
| Philippines ||   || 01.04.1947
|-
| Poland || 27.07.1929 || 29.06.1932
|-
| Portugal || 27.07.1929 || 08.06.1931
|-
| Romania || 27.07.1929 || 24.10.1931
|-
| Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes || 27.07.1929 || 20.05.1931
|-
| Slovakia ||   || 15.09.1939
|-
| South Africa || 27.07.1929 || 23.06.1931
|-
| Spain || 27.07.1929 || 06.08.1930
|-
| Sweden || 27.07.1929 || 03.07.1931
|-
| Switzerland || 27.07.1929 || 19.12.1930
|-
| Thailand || 27.07.1929 || 03.06.1939
|-
| Turkey || 27.07.1929 || 10.03.1934
|-
| Britain || 27.07.1929 || 23.06.1931
|-
| USA || 27.07.1929 || 04.02.1932
|-
| Venezuela ||   || 15.07.1944
|}

==Notes==
{{NoteFoot}}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armies in the Field (1929)]]
*[[Geneva Convention on the Wounded and Sick (1929)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120205211218/http://www.cicr.org/ihl.nsf/WebSign?ReadForm&id=305&ps=P List of 53 countries that ratified the Convention]. Countries that ratified the Convention are called State Parties. Not all countries that later were involved in [[World War II]] signed, e.g., the [[USSR]]. Japan did sign the Convention, but did not ratify it. They were a "state signatory." [http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/WebSign?ReadForm&id=305&ps=S The list of 9 countries that were only state signatories.]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120205211218/http://www.cicr.org/ihl.nsf/WebSign?ReadForm&id=305&ps=P List of 53 countries that ratified the Convention]. Countries that ratified the Convention are called State Parties. Not all countries that later were involved in [[World War II]] signed, e.g., the [[USSR]]. Japan did sign the Convention, but did not ratify it. They were a "state signatory." [http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/WebSign?ReadForm&id=305&ps=S The list of 9 countries that were only state signatories.]
* Copy of the convention held by the [[International Committee of the Red Cross|ICRC]]: [http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/FULL/305?OpenDocument Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War]. [[Geneva]], 27 July 1929.
* Copy of the convention held by the [[International Committee of the Red Cross|ICRC]]: [http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/FULL/305?OpenDocument Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War]. [[Geneva]], 27 July 1929.
* Copy of the convention as ratified by the United States [http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/geneva02.asp Convention Between the United States of America and Other Powers, Relating to Prisoners of War;] July 27, 1929. Held in the [[Avalon Project]] at the [[Yale Law School]]
* Copy of the convention as ratified by the United States [http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/geneva02.asp Convention Between the United States of America and Other Powers, Relating to Prisoners of War]; July 27, 1929. Held in the [[Avalon Project]] at the [[Yale Law School]]


[[Category:Geneva Conventions]]
[[Category:Geneva Conventions]]
[[Category:Interwar period treaties]]
[[Category:Interwar-period treaties]]
[[Category:Anti-torture treaties]]
[[Category:Anti-torture treaties]]
[[Category:Treaties concluded in 1929]]
[[Category:Treaties concluded in 1929]]
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[[Category:Treaties of Chile]]
[[Category:Treaties of Chile]]
[[Category:Treaties of Colombia]]
[[Category:Treaties of Colombia]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Republic of China (1912–49)]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Republic of China (1912–1949)]]
[[Category:Treaties of Czechoslovakia]]
[[Category:Treaties of Czechoslovakia]]
[[Category:Treaties of Denmark]]
[[Category:Treaties of Denmark]]
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[[Category:Treaties of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Kingdom of Romania]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Kingdom of Romania]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Slovak Republic (1939–45)]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Slovak Republic (1939–1945)]]
[[Category:Treaties extended to the Union of South Africa]]
[[Category:Treaties extended to the Union of South Africa]]
[[Category:Treaties of Spain under the Restoration]]
[[Category:Treaties of Spain under the Restoration]]

Revision as of 19:51, 22 August 2024

Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Front page of a French edition of the 1929 Geneva Convention
Bilingual French/German version of the 1929 Geneva Convention, from a 1934 edition of the Reichsgesetzblatt

The Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War was signed at Geneva, July 27, 1929.[1][2] Its official name is the Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. It entered into force 19 June 1931.[3] It is this version of the Geneva Conventions which covered the treatment of prisoners of war during World War II. It is the predecessor of the Third Geneva Convention signed in 1949.[4]

On their web site, the International Committee of the Red Cross states that:

Provisions concerning the treatment of prisoners of war are contained in the Hague Regulations of 1899 and 1907. In the course of World War I they revealed several deficiencies as well as a lack of precision. Such defects were partly overcome by special agreements made between belligerents in Berne in 1917 and 1918. In 1921, the International Red Cross Conference held at Geneva expressed the wish that a special convention on the treatment of prisoners of war be adopted. The International Committee of the Red Cross drew up a draft convention which was submitted to the Diplomatic Conference convened at Geneva in 1929. The Convention does not replace but only completes the provisions of the Hague regulations. The most important innovations consisted in the prohibition of reprisals and collective penalties, the organization of prisoners' work, the designation, by the prisoners, of representatives and the control exercised by protecting Powers.[5]

General provisions

Article 1 makes explicit reference to Articles 1, 2, and 3 of Hague Convention respecting the laws and customs of war on land (Hague IV),[6] of October 18, 1907, to define who are lawful combatants and so qualify as prisoners of war (POW) on capture. In addition to combatants covered by Hague IV, some civilians are also covered in the section of this Convention called the "Application of the Convention to certain classes of civilians".

Articles 2, 3, and 4 specifies that POWs are prisoners of the Power which holds them and not prisoners of the unit which takes their surrender; that POWs have the right to honor and respect, and that women shall be treated with all the regard due to their sex, and that prisoners of a similar category must be treated in the same way.

Capture

Articles 5 and 6 covers what may and may not be done to a prisoner on capture. If requested, unless too ill to comply, prisoners are bound to give their true name and rank, but they may not be coerced into giving any more information. Prisoners' personal possessions, other than arms and horses, may not be taken from them.

The wording of the 1949 Third Geneva Convention was intentionally altered from that of the 1929 convention so that soldiers who "fall into the power" following surrender or mass capitulation of an enemy are now protected as well as those taken prisoner in the course of fighting.[7][8] (see Disarmed Enemy Forces)

Captivity

Evacuation of prisoners of war

Articles 7 and 8 states that prisoners should be evacuated from the combat zone within the shortest possible period, and that belligerents are bound mutually to notify each other of their capture of prisoners within the shortest period possible.

Prisoner of war camps

Articles 9 and 10 covers the type of camp in which POWs can be detained. They must be constructed in such a way so that the conditions are similar to those used by the belligerent's own soldiers in base camps. The camps must be located in healthy locations and away from the combat zone. Also, "Belligerents shall, so far as possible, avoid assembling in a single camp prisoners of different races or nationalities." Prisoners may not be used as human shields by being sent to an area where they would be exposed to the fire of the fighting zone or be employed to render by their presence certain points or areas immune from bombardment.

Articles 11, 12, and 13 states, "Food must be of a similar quality and quantity to that of the belligerent's own soldiers, and POWs cannot be denied food as a punishment; A canteen selling local produce and products should be provided. Adequate clothing should be provided; and that sanitary service in camps should be more than sufficient to prevent epidemics."

Articles 14 and 15 covers the provision of medical facilities in each camp.

Articles 16 and 17 covers the provision of religious needs, intellectual diversions and sport facilities.

Articles 18 and 19 covers the internal discipline of a camp which is under the command of a responsible officer.

Articles 20, 21, 22, and 23 states that officers and persons of equivalent status who are prisoners of war shall be treated with the regard due their rank and age and provide more details on what that treatment should be.

Article 24 covers the rate of pay of prisoners of war.

Articles 25 and 26 covers the responsibilities of the detaining authority when transferring prisoners from one location to another. Prisoners must be healthy enough to travel, they must be informed to where they are being transferred; and their personal possessions, including bank accounts, should remain accessible.

Labour of prisoners of war

Articles 27 to 34 covers labour by prisoners of war. Work must fit the rank and health of the prisoners. The work must not be war-related and must be safe work. Remuneration will be agreed between the belligerents and will belong to the prisoner who carries out the work.

Prisoners' relations with the authorities

Articles 42 to 67 covers the prisoners' relations with the authorities. Most of these provisions are covered by the provision that prisoners are under the detaining power's own code of military regulations, with some additional provisions which cover specific prisoner of war issues and some other provisions to protect prisoners of war if the military regulations of the detaining power do not meet a minimum standard. Two specific regulations which differentiate prisoners of war from the detainees' own military regulations, is that no prisoner of war may be deprived of his rank by the detaining Power, and escaped prisoners of war who are retaken before being able to rejoin their own army or to leave the territory occupied by the army which captured them shall be liable only to disciplinary punishment.

Termination of captivity

Articles 68 to 74 states that seriously sick and seriously injured prisoners of war must be repatriated as soon as their condition allows and no repatriated person may be utilized in active military service.

Article 75 covers release at the end of hostilities. The release of prisoners should form part of the armistice. If this is not possible then repatriation of prisoners shall be effected with the least possible delay after the conclusion of peace. This particular provision was to cause problems after World War II because as the surrender of the Axis powers was unconditional (unconditional surrender) there was no armistice, and in the case of Germany a full peace treaty was not signed until the signing of the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany in 1990.

Article 76 covers prisoners of war dying in captivity: they should be honorably buried and their graves marked and maintained properly. Wills and death certificate provisions should be the same as those for the detaining power's own soldiers.

Bureau of relief and information concerning prisoners of war

Articles 77 to 80 covers how and how frequently the Powers should exchange information about prisoners and the details of how relief societies for prisoners of war should be involved in their relief.

Application of the Convention to certain classes of civilians

Article 81 states that individuals who follow the armed forces without directly belonging thereto, who fall into the enemy's hands and whom the latter think expedient to detain, shall be entitled to be treated as prisoners of war. This provision covered military support contractors, civilian war correspondents, sutlers, etc.

Execution of the convention

Articles 82 to 97 covers the implementation of this convention. Articles 82 and 83 contained two important clauses. "In case, in time of war, one of the belligerents is not a party to the Convention, its provisions shall nevertheless remain in force as between the belligerents who are parties thereto", and that the provisions of this convention continue to cover prisoners of war after hostilities up to their repatriation unless the belligerents agree otherwise or a more favorable regime replaces it.

Annex to the Convention of May 27, 1929, relative to the treatment of prisoners of war

The annex added detail to the provisions covering repatriation and hospitalization.

Parties

The following countries have either signed or ratified the Convention:[9]

Land Signed Ratification / Accession[note 1] or
Reservation/ Declaration[note 2]
Argentinien   05.03.1945
Australien 27.07.1929 23.06.1931
Österreich 27.07.1929 13.03.1936
Belgien 27.07.1929 12.05.1932
Bolivien 27.07.1929 13.08.1940
Brasilien 27.07.1929 23.03.1932
Bulgarien 27.07.1929 13.10.1937
Kanada 27.07.1929 20.02.1933
Chile 27.07.1929 01.06.1933
Republic of China 27.07.1929 19.11.1935
Kolumbien 27.07.1929 05.06.1941
Czechoslovakia 27.07.1929 12.10.1937
Dänemark 27.07.1929 05.08.1932
Ägypten 27.07.1929 25.07.1933
El Salvador   22.04.1942
Estland 27.07.1929 11.06.1936
Fidschi   09.08.1971
Frankreich 27.07.1929 21.08.1935
Deutschland 27.07.1929 21.02.1934
Griechenland 27.07.1929 28.05.1935
Ungarn 27.07.1929 10.09.1936
Indien 27.07.1929 23.06.1931
Indonesien   05.06.1959
Iraq   29.05.1934
Israel   03.08.1948
Italien 27.07.1929 24.03.1931
Jordanien   09.03.1949
Lettland 27.07.1929 14.10.1931
Liechtenstein   11.01.1944
Litauen   27.02.1939
Mexiko 27.07.1929 01.08.1932
Monaco   17.03.1948
Myanmar   01.04.1937
Niederlande 27.07.1929 05.10.1932
Neuseeland 27.07.1929 23.06.1931
Norwegen 27.07.1929 24.06.1931
Pakistan   02.02.1948
Papua-Neuguinea   26.05.1976
Philippinen   01.04.1947
Polen 27.07.1929 29.06.1932
Portugal 27.07.1929 08.06.1931
Rumänien 27.07.1929 24.10.1931
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes 27.07.1929 20.05.1931
Slowakei   15.09.1939
Südafrika 27.07.1929 23.06.1931
Spanien 27.07.1929 06.08.1930
Schweden 27.07.1929 03.07.1931
Schweiz 27.07.1929 19.12.1930
Thailand 27.07.1929 03.06.1939
Türkei 27.07.1929 10.03.1934
Britain 27.07.1929 23.06.1931
USA 27.07.1929 04.02.1932
Venezuela   15.07.1944

Notes

  1. ^ This means instead of signing and then ratifying the treaty, any State may become party to it by the single act called accession.[9]
  2. ^ An any statement made by a State during accession, succession or ratification that modifies way of application of certain provisions of convention. Checkout the source for more accurate definition.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/gc-pow-1929
  2. ^ https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/assets/treaties/305-IHL-GC-1929-2-EN.pdf
  3. ^ "Treaties, States parties, and Commentaries - Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War, 1929". ihl-databases.icrc.org. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  4. ^ https://www.refworld.org/legal/agreements/icrc/1949/en/35606
  5. ^ Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva, 27 July 1929
  6. ^ "Laws of War on Land (Hague IV); October 18, 1907". Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2006.
  7. ^ ICRC Commentaries on the Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War Article 5 "One category of military personnel which was refused the advantages of the Convention in the course of the Second World War comprised German and Japanese troops who fell into enemy hands on the capitulation of their countries in 1945 (6). The German capitulation was both political, involving the dissolution of the Government, and military, whereas the Japanese capitulation was only military. Moreover, the situation was different since Germany was a party to the 1929 Convention and Japan was not. Nevertheless, the German and Japanese troops were considered as surrendered enemy personnel and were deprived of the protection provided by the 1929 Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War."
  8. ^ ICRC Commentaries on the Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War Article 5 "Under the present provision, the Convention applies to persons who "fall into the power" of the enemy. This term is also used in the opening sentence of Article 4, replacing the expression "captured" which was used in the 1929 Convention (Article 1). It indicates clearly that the treatment laid down by the Convention is applicable not only to military personnel taken prisoner in the course of fighting, but also to those who fall into the hands of the adversary following surrender or mass capitulation."
  9. ^ a b c "Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva, 27 July 1929". ihl-databases.icrc.org. Retrieved 8 February 2020.

Further reading

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