News-Info-Alerts

Re: Iraqi POWs Protected

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: March 21, 2003

"POWs protected by Geneva convention
Iraqi troops who are captured or surrender to Allied forces can expect food, shelter and protection from harm under the terms of international law.  
 
Treatment of prisoners of war is bound by the 3rd Geneva Convention, which sets out specific conditions under which enemy fighters can be held.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed today that the terms of the treaty were being applied, but refused to confirm if prisoners would be strip-searched to check for hidden explosives.
An MoD spokesman said: ``The UK and US are fully committed to carrying out their obligations towards POWs under the terms of the Geneva Convention, but we cannot comment on any specific procedures.``

The Convention was adopted in 1949 and ratified by the US in 1955, though America last year drew criticism when it refused to offer the status to Taliban fighters held at Camp X-Ray, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

It states that all POWs must have the right to exchange letters with their loved ones and ``shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth``.

The prisoners must be offered basic food rations, suitable clothing and be released and repatriated without delay following the end of conflict.

A total of 189 countries have signed up to the tenets of the convention, which also hands the Red Cross responsibility for visiting prisoners and ensuring that the capturing army is following the rules.

Iraqi soldiers are expected to be held at a series of camps, believed to be under construction in southern Iraq, and will be protected from acts of torture and degrading treatment under the laws.

The treaty also prohibits the passing of sentences, carrying out of executions, and states that impartial humanitarian organisations must be allowed to offer their help to prisoners.
``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,`` states the convention.
Under the terms, POWs must also be protected against intimidation, insults and public curiosity."