Chernobyl

 

Today Russia struck and damaged the enclosure that covers the radioactive 4th power unit with a shahed.

Ballistic Missile Impact in Kiev

Video shows damage from an unknown type of ballistic missile, which struck Kyiv on the morning of 12 Feb 2025.

 

Ukrainian MOD launches "Contract 18-24" voluntary army recruiting program

The program offers 18- to 24-year-olds the ability to join the military under a one-year contract, and the option to either reenlist after one year or return to civilian life. 

The Ukrainian MoD will pay volunteers 200,000 UAH ($4,700) upon signing a one-year contract and an additional 800,000 UAH ($19,120) during their service in addition to a monthly salary of 120,000 UAH ($2,870). Volunteers will receive three months of training before deploying to the frontline. 

The Ukrainian government will subsidize future mortgages, education, and medical care for volunteers and will permit volunteers to travel abroad after their one year of service. 

The program also exempts volunteers from mobilization for 12 months after their one-year contract ends. 

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that the "Contract 18-24" program is part of Ukraine's ongoing efforts to create a professional military. 

Ukraine: Reasons to Wear Eye Protection

 Eye injury occurs in roughly 1/4 of blast injury victims. Most eye injuries are easily preventable, by using simple polycarbonate eye protection.

Here, the blast wave from a FAB-500 aerial bomb shatters nearby windows on 9 Feb 2025, in Kramatorsk.

Video: Russian Fiberoptic Drone allegedly finds and detonates pre-rigged explosives on Ukrainian bridge

 

Song: "Babylon", Set to Drone Imagery of Destroyed City of Mariinka

 

Chinese Lidar Drone Navigates through Forest

This new drone allegedly uses lidar and AI to create a 3D map, enabling it to navigate between trees and other obstacles at high speed. It does not require a GPS signal, making it resistant to jamming.

 

Geneva Convention, Part Two: Protections for Hospitals and Medical Providers

 

The text of the First Convention, as revised by the 1949 Conference, follows traditional lines and the fundamental principles that governed former versions: wounded or sick – and therefore defenceless – combatants shall be respected and cared for, whatever their nationality; personnel attending them, the buildings in which they shelter and the equipment used for their benefit, shall be protected; a red cross on a white ground shall be the emblem of this immunity

Russia, Ukraine, the US, and most European countries are all signatories to the Geneva Convention.

As of Sept 2024, WHO has confirmed close to 2000 attacks on health in Ukraine, including on hospitals, health workers and patients.

International Humanitarian Law concerning hospitals can be summed up as: 

“hospitals, ambulances, and medical providers (military OR civilian) are protected, unless they are used for acts that are considered “harmful to the enemy”

 Geneva Convention Key Points, Concerning Hospitals, Ambulances, and Medics

Both sides in a conflict are obligated to collect and care for the wounded, including enemy wounded

The following are protected against murder, torture, and degrading treatment:

Wounded noncombatants (journalists, civilians, supply contractors, etc),

Wounded combatants (regular military, organized, uniformed militia, and local residents who spontaneously resist invasion) who have laid down their arms 

The following are protected from attack:

Hospitals

Ambulances

Medical personnel (military, NGO, and civilian)

Military personnel with auxiliary medical training (this only applies while actively performing solely medical duties such as nursing or stretcher-bearing) 

The protection to which fixed establishments and mobile medical units of the Medical Service are entitled shall not cease unless they are used to commit, outside their humanitarian duties, acts harmful to the enemy. The following acts DO NOT cause medical facilities to lose protections:

Carrying arms or using them in their own defense, or in defense of patients

Using armed sentries or armed escorts

Temporary storage of small arms and ammunition taken from the wounded

Medical personnel exclusively engaged in the search for, or the collection, transport or treatment of the wounded or sick shall be respected and protected in all circumstances.

Members of the armed forces specially trained for employment, should the need arise, as hospital orderlies, nurses or auxiliary stretcher-bearers, in the transport or treatment of the wounded shall be respected and protected if they are carrying out these duties at the time when they come into contact with the enemy.

Geneva Convention, Full Relevant Text, Concerning Hospitals, Ambulances, and Medics 

*** All below text in quotations is taken directly from the original GENEVA CONVENTION FOR THE AMELIORATION OF THE CONDITION OF THE WOUNDED AND SICK IN ARMED FORCES IN THE FIELD OF 12 AUGUST 1949 document; non-relevant portions are omitted for brevity. Full text available here: https://www.icrc.org/sites/default/files/external/doc/en/assets/files/publications/icrc-002-0173.pdf***

1) Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria. To this end, the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons: 

a) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture; 

b) taking of hostages; 

c) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment; 

d) the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court, affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples. 

2) The wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 3)

The High Contracting Parties may at any time agree to entrust to an organization which offers all guarantees of impartiality and efficacy the duties incumbent on the Protecting Powers by virtue of the present Convention

When wounded and sick, or medical personnel and chaplains do not benefit or cease to benefit, no matter for what reason, by the activities of a Protecting Power or of an organization provided for in the first paragraph above, the Detaining Power shall request a neutral State, or such an organization, to undertake the functions performed under the present Convention by a Protecting Power designated by the Parties to a conflict.

If protection cannot be arranged accordingly, the Detaining Power shall request or shall accept, subject to the provisions of this Article, the offer of the services of a humanitarian organization, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, to assume the humanitarian functions performed by Protecting Powers under the present Convention….

Whenever in the present Convention mention is made of a Protecting Power, such mention also applies to substitute organizations in the sense of the present Article.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 10)

Members of the armed forces and other persons mentioned in the following Article, who are wounded or sick, shall be respected and protected in all circumstances. They shall be treated humanely and cared for by the Party to the conflict in whose power they may be, without any adverse distinction founded on sex, race, nationality, religion, political opinions, or any other similar criteria. Any attempts upon their lives, or violence to their persons, shall be strictly prohibited; in particular, they shall not be murdered or exterminated, subjected to torture or to biological experiments; they shall not wilfully be left without medical assistance and care, nor shall conditions exposing them to contagion or infection be created. Only urgent medical reasons will authorize priority in the order of treatment to be administered. Women shall be treated with all consideration due to their sex. The Party to the conflict which is compelled to abandon wounded or sick to the enemy shall, as far as military considerations permit, leave with them a part of its medical personnel and material to assist in their care.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 12)

The Present Convention shall apply to the wounded and sick belonging to the following categories: 

1) Members of the armed forces of a Party to the conflict as well as members of militias or volunteer corps forming part of such armed forces. 

2) Members of other militias and members of other volunteer corps, including those of organized resistance movements, belonging to a Party to the conflict and operating in or outside their own territory, even if this territory is occupied, provided that such militias or volunteer corps, including such organized resistance movements, fulfil the following conditions: 

a) that of being commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates; 

b) that of having a fixed distinctive sign recognizable at a distance; 

c) that of carrying arms openly; 

d) that of conducting their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war. 

3) Members of regular armed forces who profess allegiance to a Government or an authority not recognized by the Detaining Power.

4) Persons who accompany the armed forces without actually being members thereof, such as civilian members of military aircraft crews, war correspondents, supply contractors, members of labour units or of services responsible for the welfare of the armed forces, provided that they have received authorization from the armed forces which they accompany. 

5) Members of crews including masters, pilots and apprentices of the merchant marine and the crews of civil aircraft of the Parties to the conflict, who do not benefit by more favourable treatment under any other provisions in international law. 

6) Inhabitants of a non-occupied territory who, on the approach of the enemy, spontaneously take up arms to resist the invading forces, without having had time to form themselves into regular armed units, provided they carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 13)

At all times, and particularly after an engagement, Parties to the conflict shall, without delay, take all possible measures to search for and collect the wounded and sick, to protect them against pillage and ill-treatment, to ensure their adequate care, and to search for the dead and prevent their being despoiled. Whenever circumstances permit, an armistice or a suspension of fire shall be arranged, or local arrangements made, to permit the removal, exchange and transport of the wounded left on the battlefield. Likewise, local arrangements may be concluded between Parties to the conflict for the removal or exchange of wounded and sick from a besieged or encircled area, and for the passage of medical and religious personnel and equipment on their way to that area. 

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 15)

The military authorities may appeal to the charity of the inhabitants voluntarily to collect and care for, under their direction, the wounded and sick, granting persons who have responded to this appeal the necessary protection and facilities. Should the adverse Party take or retake control of the area, it shall likewise grant these persons the same protection and the same facilities. The military authorities shall permit the inhabitants and relief societies, even in invaded or occupied areas, spontaneously to collect and care for wounded or sick of whatever nationality. The civilian population shall respect these wounded and sick, and in particular abstain from offering them violence. No one may ever be molested or convicted for having nursed the wounded or sick. The provisions of the present Article do not relieve the occupying Power of its obligation to give both physical and moral care to the wounded and sick.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 18)

Fixed establishments and mobile medical units of the Medical Service may in no circumstances be attacked, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict. Should they fall into the hands of the adverse Party, their personnel shall be free to pursue their duties, as long as the capturing Power has not itself ensured the necessary care of the wounded and sick found in such establishments and units. The responsible authorities shall ensure that the said medical establishments and units are, as far as possible, situated in such a manner that attacks against military objectives cannot imperil their safety

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 19)

The protection to which fixed establishments and mobile medical units of the Medical Service are entitled shall not cease unless they are used to commit, outside their humanitarian duties, acts harmful to the enemy. Protection may, however, cease only after a due warning has been given, naming, in all appropriate cases, a reasonable time limit and after such warning has remained unheeded.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 21)

The following conditions shall not be considered as depriving a medical unit or establishment of the protection guaranteed by Article 19: 

1. That the personnel of the unit or establishment are armed, and that they use the arms in their own defence, or in that of the wounded and sick in their charge. 

2. That in the absence of armed orderlies, the unit or establishment is protected by a picket or by sentries or by an escort. 

3. That small arms and ammunition taken from the wounded and sick and not yet handed to the proper service, are found in the unit or establishment. 

4. That personnel and material of the veterinary service are found in the unit or establishment, without forming an integral part thereof. 

5. That the humanitarian activities of medical units and establishments or of their personnel extend to the care of civilian wounded or sick. 

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 22)

Protection of permanent personnel: 

Medical personnel exclusively engaged in the search for, or the collection, transport or treatment of the wounded or sick, or in the prevention of disease, staff exclusively engaged in the administration of medical units and establishments, as well as chaplains attached to the armed forces, shall be respected and protected in all circumstances.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 24)

Protection of auxiliary personnel: 

Members of the armed forces specially trained for employment, should the need arise, as hospital orderlies, nurses or auxiliary stretcher-bearers, in the search for or the collection, transport or treatment of the wounded and sick shall likewise be respected and protected if they are carrying out these duties at the time when they come into contact with the enemy or fall into his hands.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 25)

Personnel of aid societies:

The staff of National Red Cross Societies and that of other Voluntary Aid Societies, duly recognized and authorized by their Governments, who may be employed on the same duties as the personnel named in Article 24, are placed on the same footing as the personnel named in the said Article, provided that the staff of such societies are subject to military laws and regulations. 

Each High Contracting Party shall notify to the other, either in time of peace or at the commencement of or during hostilities, but in any case before actually employing them, the names of the societies which it has authorized, under its responsibility, to render assistance to the regular medical service of its armed forces.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 26)

Personnel designated in Articles 24 and 26 who fall into the hands of the adverse Party, shall be retained only in so far as the state of health, the spiritual needs and the number of prisoners of war require. Personnel thus retained shall not be deemed prisoners of war. Nevertheless they shall at least benefit by all the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of August 12, 1949. Within the framework of the military laws and regulations of the Detaining Power, and under the authority of its competent service, they shall continue to carry out, in accordance with their professional ethics, their medical and spiritual duties on behalf of prisoners of war, preferably those of the armed forces to which they themselves belong. They shall further enjoy the following facilities for carrying out their medical or spiritual duties: a) They shall be authorized to visit periodically the prisoners of war in labour units or hospitals outside the camp. The Detaining Power shall put at their disposal the means of transport required. b) In each camp the senior medical officer of the highest rank shall be responsible to the military authorities of the camp for the professional activity of the retained medical personnel. For this purpose, from the outbreak of hostilities, the Parties to the conflict shall agree regarding the corresponding seniority of the ranks of their medical personnel, including those of the societies designated in Article 26.In all questions arising out of their duties, this medical officer, and the chaplains, shall have direct access to the military and medical authorities of the camp who shall grant them the facilities they may require for correspondence relating to these questions. c) Although retained personnel in a camp shall be subject to its internal discipline, they shall not, however, be required to perform any work outside their medical or religious duties…

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 28)

The real and personal property of aid societies which are admitted to the privileges of the Convention shall be regarded as private property. The right of requisition recognized for belligerents by the laws and customs of war shall not be exercised except in case of urgent necessity, and only after the welfare of the wounded and sick has been ensured.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 34)

Transports of wounded and sick or of medical equipment shall be respected and protected in the same way as mobile medical units. Should such transports or vehicles fall into the hands of the adverse Party, they shall be subject to the laws of war, on condition that the Party to the conflict who captures them shall in all cases ensure the care of the wounded and sick they contain…

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 35)

Medical aircraft, that is to say, aircraft exclusively employed for the removal of wounded and sick and for the transport of medical personnel and equipment, shall not be attacked… They shall bear, clearly marked, the distinctive emblem prescribed in Article 38, together with their national colours, on their lower, upper and lateral surfaces…

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 36)

Under the direction of the competent military authority, the [Red Cross/Crescent/Diamond] emblem shall be displayed on the flags, armlets and on all equipment employed in the Medical Service.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 36)

The personnel designated in Article 24 and in Articles 26 and 27 shall wear, affixed to the left arm, a water-resistant armlet bearing the distinctive emblem, issued and stamped by the military authority. Such personnel, in addition to wearing the identity disc mentioned in Article 16, shall also carry a special identity card bearing the distinctive emblem…

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 40)

The distinctive flag of the Convention shall be hoisted only over such medical units and establishments as are entitled to be respected under the Convention, and only with the consent of the military authorities. In mobile units, as in fixed establishments, it may be accompanied by the national flag of the Party to the conflict to which the unit or establishment belongs. Nevertheless, medical units which have fallen into the hands of the enemy shall not fly any flag other than that of the Convention. Parties to the conflict shall take the necessary steps, in so far as military considerations permit, to make the distinctive emblems indicating medical units and establishments clearly visible to the enemy land, air or naval forces, in order to obviate the possibility of any hostile action.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 42)

The High Contracting Parties undertake to enact any legislation necessary to provide effective penal sanctions for persons committing, or ordering to be committed, any of the grave breaches of the present Convention defined in the following Article. Each High Contracting Party shall be under the obligation to search for persons alleged to have committed, or to have ordered to be committed, such grave breaches, and shall bring such persons, regardless of their nationality, before its own courts…

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 49)

Grave breaches to which the preceding Article relates shall be those involving any of the following acts, if committed against persons or property protected by the Convention: wilful killing, torture or inhuman treatment, including biological experiments, wilfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health, and extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 50)

The use by individuals, societies, firms or companies either public or private, other than those entitled thereto under the present Convention, of the emblem or the designation “Red Cross” or “Geneva Cross”, or any sign or designation constituting an imitation thereof, whatever the object of such use, and irrespective of the date of its adoption, shall be prohibited at all times…

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 53)

*** All below text in quotations is taken directly from the original GENEVA CONVENTION RELATIVE TO THE PROTECTION OF CIVILIAN PERSONS IN TIME OF WAR OF 12 AUGUST 1949 document; non-relevant portions are omitted for brevity. Full text available here: https://www.icrc.org/sites/default/files/external/doc/en/assets/files/publications/icrc-002-0173.pdf***

Persons protected by the Convention are those who at a given moment and in any manner whatsoever, find themselves, in case of a conflict or occupation, in the hands of persons a Party to the conflict or Occupying Power of which they are not nationals. Nationals of a State which is not bound by the Convention are not protected by it. Nationals of a neutral State who find themselves in the territory of a belligerent State, and nationals of a co-belligerent State, shall not be regarded as protected persons while the State of which they are nationals has normal diplomatic representation in the State in whose hands they are.

(1949 Geneva Convention Relative to Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, Article 4)

Links

          Geneva Convention, full text relating to Hospitals 

           International Committee of the Red Cross Website

           Doctors Without Borders’ Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law

POW Patients: Geneva Convention, Part 1

 

Key Points:

Prisoners of War (POWs) are combatants (regular military, organized, uniformed militia, and local residents who spontaneously resist invasion) and noncombatants (journalists, civilians, supply contractors, etc) who have fallen into the power of the enemy.

POWs must at all times be humanely treated, and protected from: 

acts or omissions that could cause death or seriously endanger health or cause mutilation

medical or scientific experiments

acts of violence or intimidation 

insults and public curiosity

Prisoners of war may not be prevented from presenting themselves to the medical authorities for examination. Medical inspections of prisoners of war shall be held at least once a month.

Prisoners of war suffering from serious disease, or whose condition necessitates special treatment, a surgical operation or hospital care, must be admitted to any military or civilian medical unit where such treatment can be given

POWs must be adequately fed and watered, and clothed and quartered appropriately for the weather conditions

POWs should be allowed to send and receive mail

Unless he be a volunteer, no prisoner of war may be employed on labour which is of an unhealthy, dangerous, or humiliating nature.

POWs should not be intentionally exposed to fire, or used as “shields”

The use of weapons against prisoners of war, especially against those who are escaping or attempting to escape, shall constitute an extreme measure, which shall always be preceded by warnings appropriate to the circumstances.

FULL TEXT, RELEVANT EXCERPTS FROM THE 1949 GENEVA CONVENTION RELATIVE TO THE TREATMENT OF POWs:

*** All text below is taken directly from the original 1949 Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War document; non-relevant portions are omitted for brevity. Full text available here: https://www.icrc.org/sites/default/files/external/doc/en/assets/files/publications/icrc-002-0173.pdf***

Prisoner of War Definition: 

A. Prisoners of war, in the sense of the present Convention, are persons belonging to one of the following categories, who have fallen into the power of the enemy:

1. Members of the armed forces of a Party to the conflict as well as members of militias or volunteer corps forming part of such armed forces.

2. Members of other militias and members of other volunteer corps, including those of organized resistance movements, belonging to a Party to the conflict and operating in or outside their own territory, even if this territory is occupied, provided that such militias or volunteer corps, including such organized resistance movements, fulfil the following conditions:

(a) That of being commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates;

(b) That of having a fixed distinctive sign recognizable at a distance;

(c) That of carrying arms openly;

(d) That of conducting their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of  war.

…4. Persons who accompany the armed forces without actually being members thereof, such as civilian members of military aircraft crews, war correspondents, supply contractors, members of labour units or of services responsible for the welfare of the armed forces, provided that they have received authorization from the armed forces which they accompany, who shall provide them for that purpose with an identity card similar to the annexed model.

…6. Inhabitants of a non-occupied territory, who on the approach of the enemy spontaneously take up arms to resist the invading forces, without having had time to form themselves into regular armed units, provided they carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war.  

(1949 Geneva Convention, Part 1, Article 4)

General Treatment of Prisoners of War

Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated. 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, and will be regarded as a serious breach of the present Convention. 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 prohibited.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 13)

…All effects and articles of personal use, except arms, horses, military equipment and military documents shall remain in the possession of prisoners of war, likewise their metal helmets and gas masks and like articles issued for personal protection. Effects and articles used for their clothing or feeding shall likewise remain in their possession, even if such effects and articles belong to their regulation military equipment.

…Badges of rank and nationality, decorations and articles having above all a personal or sentimental value may not be taken from prisoners of war.

Sums of money carried by prisoners of war may not be taken away from them except by order of an officer…The Detaining Power may withdraw articles of value from prisoners of war only for reasons of security 

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 18)

The evacuation of prisoners of war shall always be effected humanely and in conditions similar to those for the forces of the Detaining Power in their changes of station.

The Detaining Power shall supply prisoners of war who are being evacuated with sufficient food and potable water, and with the necessary clothing and medical attention. The Detaining Power shall take all suitable precautions to ensure their safety during evacuation, and shall establish as soon as possible a list of the prisoners of war who are evacuated.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 20)

No prisoner of war may at any time be sent to or detained in areas where he may be exposed to the fire of the combat zone, nor may his presence be used to render certain points or areas immune from military operations…

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 23)

Prisoners of war shall be quartered under conditions as favourable as those for the forces of the Detaining Power who are billeted in the same area… 

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 25)

The basic daily food rations shall be sufficient in quantity, quality and variety to keep prisoners of war in good health and to prevent loss of weight or the development of nutritional deficiencies. Account shall also be taken of the habitual diet of the prisoners…Sufficient drinking water shall be supplied to prisoners of war. The use of tobacco shall be permitted…Collective disciplinary measures affecting food are prohibited…

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 26)

Clothing, underwear and footwear shall be supplied to prisoners of war in sufficient quantities by the Detaining Power, which shall make allowance for the climate of the region where the prisoners are detained… 

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 27)

Prisoners of war shall enjoy complete latitude in the exercise of their religious duties, including attendance at the service of their faith, on condition that they comply with the disciplinary routine prescribed by the military authorities.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 34)

The use of weapons against prisoners of war, especially against those who are escaping or attempting to escape, shall constitute an extreme measure, which shall always be preceded by warnings appropriate to the circumstances.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 42)

…The transfer of prisoners of war shall always be effected humanely and in conditions not less favourable than those under which the forces of the Detaining Power are transferred. Account shall always be taken of the climatic conditions to which the prisoners of war are accustomed and the conditions of transfer shall in no case be prejudicial to their health.

The Detaining Power shall supply prisoners of war during transfer with sufficient food and drinking water to keep them in good health, likewise with the necessary clothing, shelter and medical attention…

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 46)

Immediately upon capture, or not more than one week after arrival at a camp, even if it is a transit camp, likewise in case of sickness or transfer to hospital or another camp, every prisoner of war shall be enabled to write direct to his family, on the one hand, and to the Central Prisoners of War Agency…

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 70)

Prisoners of war shall be allowed to receive by post or by any other means individual parcels or collective shipments containing, in particular, foodstuffs, clothing, medical supplies and articles of a religious, educational or recreational character…

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 72)

Prisoners of war may not be sentenced by the military authorities and courts of the Detaining Power to any penalties except those provided for in respect of members of the armed forces of the said Power who have committed the same acts… Collective punishment for individual acts, corporal punishment, imprisonment in premises without daylight and, in general, any form of torture or cruelty, are forbidden.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 87)

Escape or attempt to escape, even if it is a repeated offence, shall not be deemed an aggravating circumstance if the prisoner of war is subjected to trial by judicial proceedings in respect of an offence committed during his escape or attempt to escape.

In conformity with the principle stated in Article 83, offences committed by prisoners of war with the sole intention of facilitating their escape and which do not entail any violence against life or limb, such as offences against public property, theft without intention of self-enrichment, the drawing up or use of false papers, or the wearing of civilian clothing, shall occasion disciplinary punishment only.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 93)

Medical Treatment of Prisoners of War

The Power detaining prisoners of war shall be bound to provide free of charge for their maintenance and for the medical attention required by their state of health.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 15)

Prisoners of war who, owing to their physical or mental condition, are unable to state their identity, shall be handed over to the medical service.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 17)

Prisoners of war shall be evacuated, as soon as possible after their capture, to camps situated in an area far enough from the combat zone for them to be out of danger.

Only those prisoners of war who, owing to wounds or sickness, would run greater risks by being evacuated than by remaining where they are, may be temporarily kept back in a danger zone.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 19)

Every camp shall have an adequate infirmary where prisoners of war may have the attention they require, as well as appropriate diet. Isolation wards shall, if necessary, be set aside for cases of contagious or mental disease.

Prisoners of war suffering from serious disease, or whose condition necessitates special treatment, a surgical operation or hospital care, must be admitted to any military or civilian medical unit where such treatment can be given, even if their repatriation is contemplated in the near future. Special facilities shall be afforded for the care to be given to the disabled, in particular to the blind, and for their rehabilitation, pending repatriation…

…Prisoners of war may not be prevented from presenting themselves to the medical authorities for examination.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 30)

Medical inspections of prisoners of war shall be held at least once a month. They shall include the checking and the recording of the weight of each prisoner of war. Their purpose shall be, in particular, to supervise the general state of health, nutrition and cleanliness of prisoners and to detect contagious diseases, especially tuberculosis, malaria and venereal disease…

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 31)

Sick or wounded prisoners of war shall not be transferred as long as their recovery may be endangered by the journey, unless their safety imperatively demands it…

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 47)

 

Duties of the Prisoner

Every prisoner of war, when questioned on the subject, is bound to give only his surname, first names and rank, date of birth, and army, regimental, personal or serial number, or failing this, equivalent information.

…No physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion, may be inflicted on prisoners of war to secure from them information of any kind whatever. Prisoners of war who refuse to answer may not be threatened, insulted, or exposed to any unpleasant or disadvantageous treatment of any kind.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 17)

Prisoners of war who, though not attached to the medical service of their armed forces, are physicians, surgeons, dentists, nurses or medical orderlies, may be required by the Detaining Power to exercise their medical functions in the interests of prisoners of war dependent on the same Power. In that case they shall continue to be prisoners of war, but shall receive the same treatment as corresponding medical personnel retained by the Detaining Power. They shall be exempted from any other work under Article 49.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 32)

Members of the medical personnel and chaplains while retained by the Detaining Power with a view to assisting prisoners of war, shall not be considered as prisoners of war. They shall, however, receive as a minimum the benefits and protection of the present Convention, and shall also be granted all facilities necessary to provide for the medical care of, and religious ministration to, prisoners of war.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 33)

The Detaining Power may utilize the labour of prisoners of war who are physically fit, taking into account their age, sex, rank and physical aptitude, and with a view particularly to maintaining them in a good state of physical and mental health.

 (1949 Geneva Convention, Article 49)

Unless he be a volunteer, no prisoner of war may be employed on labour which is of an unhealthy or dangerous nature.

No prisoner of war shall be assigned to labour which would be looked upon as humiliating for a member of the Detaining Power's own forces.

The removal of mines or similar devices shall be considered as dangerous labour.

(1949 Geneva Convention, Article 52)

Links

Geneva Convention, full text relating to treatment of Prisoners of War

International Committee of the Red Cross POW Website

Doctors Without Borders’ Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law

Video by Third Brigade of Capture and Interview of Russian POWs

Ukraine: 3rd Brigade Interviews a Prisoner of War