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From the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights

Geneva Convention

relative to the Treatment of

Prisoners of War

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

The High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for
the present Convention in all circumstances.

Article 2

In addition to the provisions which shall be implemented in peace time, the
present Convention shall apply to all cases of declared war or of any other
armed conflict which may arise between two or more of the High Contracting Parties,
even if the state of war is not recognized by one of them.

The Convention shall also apply to all cases of partial or total occupation
of the territory of a High Contracting Party, even if the said occupation meets
with no armed resistance.

Although one of the Powers in conflict may not be a party to the present Convention,
the Powers who are parties thereto shall remain bound by it in their mutual
relations. They shall furthermore be bound by the Convention in relation to
the said Power, if the latter accepts and applies the provisions thereof.

Article 3

In the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in
the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, each party to the conflict
shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions:

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.

An impartial humanitarian body, such as the International Committee of the
Red Cross, may offer its services to the Parties to the conflict.

The Parties to the conflict should further endeavour to bring into force, by
means of special agreements, all or part of the other provisions of the present
Convention.

The application of the preceding provisions shall not affect the legal status
of the Parties to the conflict.

Article 4

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.

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, who shall provide them for that purpose with
an identity card similar to the annexed model.

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 of 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.

B. The following shall likewise be treated as prisoners of war under the present
Convention:

1. Persons belonging, or having belonged, to the armed forces of the occupied
country, if the occupying Power considers it necessary by reason of such allegiance
to intern them, even though it has originally liberated them while hostilities
were going on outside the territory it occupies, in particular where such persons
have made an unsuccessful attempt to rejoin the armed forces to which they belong
and which are engaged in combat, or where they fail to comply with a summons
made to them with a view to internment.

2. The persons belonging to one of the categories enumerated in the present
Article, who have been received by neutral or non-belligerent Powers on their
territory and whom these Powers are required to intern under international law,
without prejudice to any more favourable treatment which these Powers may choose
to give and with the exception of Articles 8, 10, 15, 30, fifth paragraph, 58-67,
92, 126 and, where diplomatic relations exist between the Parties to the conflict
and the neutral or non-belligerent Power concerned, those Articles concerning
the Protecting Power. Where such diplomatic relations exist, the Parties to
a conflict on whom these persons depend shall be allowed to perform towards
them the functions of a Protecting Power as provided in the present Convention,
without prejudice to the functions which these Parties normally exercise in
conformity with diplomatic and consular usage and treaties.

C. This Article shall in no way affect the status of medical personnel and
chaplains as provided for in Article 33 of the present Convention.

Article 5

The present Convention shall apply to the persons referred to in Article 4
from the time they fall into the power of the enemy and until their final release
and repatriation.

Should any doubt arise as to whether persons, having committed a belligerent
act and having fallen into the hands of the enemy, belong to any of the categories
enumerated in Article 4, such persons shall enjoy the protection of the present
Convention until such time as their status has been determined by a competent
tribunal.

Article 6

In addition to the agreements expressly provided for in Articles 10, 23, 28,
33, 60, 65, 66, 67, 72, 73, 75, 109, 110, 118, 119, 122 and 132, the High Contracting
Parties may conclude other special agreements for all matters concerning which
they may deem it suitable to make separate provision. No special agreement shall
adversely affect the situation of prisoners of war, as defined by the present
Convention, nor restrict the rights which it confers upon them.

Prisoners of war shall continue to have the benefit of such agreements as long
as the Convention is applicable to them, except where express provisions to
the contrary are contained in the aforesaid or in subsequent agreements, or
where more favourable measures have been taken with regard to them by one or
other of the Parties to the conflict.

Article 7

Prisoners of war may in no circumstances renounce in part or in entirety the
rights secured to them by the present Convention, and by the special agreements
referred to in the foregoing Article, if such there be.

Article 8

The present Convention shall be applied with the cooperation and under the
scrutiny of the Protecting Powers whose duty it is to safeguard the interests
of the Parties to the conflict. For this purpose, the Protecting Powers may
appoint, apart from their diplomatic or consular staff, delegates from amongst
their own nationals or the nationals of other neutral Powers. The said delegates
shall be subject to the approval of the Power with which they are to carry out
their duties.

The Parties to the conflict shall facilitate to the greatest extent possible
the task of the representatives or delegates of the Protecting Powers.

The representatives or delegates of the Protecting Powers shall not in any
case exceed their mission under the present Convention. They shall, in particular,
take account of the imperative necessities of security of the State wherein
they carry out their duties.

Article 9

The provisions of the present Convention constitute no obstacle to the humanitarian
activities which the International Committee of the Red Cross or any other impartial
humanitarian organization may, subject to the consent of the Parties to the
conflict concerned, undertake for the protection of prisoners of war and for
their relief.

Article 10

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 prisoners of war 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.

Any neutral Power or any organization invited by the Power concerned or offering
itself for these purposes, shall be required to act with a sense of responsibility
towards the Party to the conflict on which persons protected by the present
Convention depend, and shall be required to furnish sufficient assurances that
it is in a position to undertake the appropriate functions and to discharge
them impartially.

No derogation from the preceding provisions shall be made by special agreements
between Powers one of which is restricted, even temporarily, in its freedom
to negotiate with the other Power or its allies by reason of military events,
more particularly where the whole, or a substantial part, of the territory of
the said Power is occupied.

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

Article 11

In cases where they deem it advisable in the interest of protected persons,
particularly in cases of disagreement between the Parties to the conflict as
to the application or interpretation of the provisions of the present Convention,
the Protecting Powers shall lend their good offices with a view to settling
the disagreement.

For this purpose, each of the Protecting Powers may, either at the invitation
of one Party or on its own initiative, propose to the Parties to the conflict
a meeting of their representatives, and in particular of the authorities responsible
for prisoners of war, possibly on neutral territory suitably chosen. The Parties
to the conflict shall be bound to give effect to the proposals made to them
for this purpose. The Protecting Powers may, if necessary, propose for approval
by the Parties to the conflict a person belonging to a neutral Power, or delegated
by the International Committee of the Red Cross, who shall be invited to take
part in such a meeting.

PART II
GENERAL PROTECTION OF PRISONERS OF WAR

Article 12

Prisoners of war are in the hands of the enemy Power, but not of the individuals
or military units who have captured them. Irrespective of the individual responsibilities
that may exist, the Detaining Power is responsible for the treatment given them.

Prisoners of war may only be transferred by the Detaining Power to a Power
which is a party to the Convention and after the Detaining Power has satisfied
itself of the willingness and ability of such transferee Power to apply the
Convention. When prisoners of war are transferred under such circumstances,
responsibility for the application of the Convention rests on the Power accepting
them while they are in its custody.

Nevertheless if that Power fails to carry out the provisions of the Convention
in any important respect, the Power by whom the prisoners of war were transferred
shall, upon being notified by the Protecting Power, take effective measures
to correct the situation or shall request the return of the prisoners of war.
Such requests must be complied with.

Article 13

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.

Article 14

Prisoners of war are entitled in all circumstances to respect for their persons
and their honour. Women shall be treated with all the regard due to their sex
and shall in all cases benefit by treatment as favourable as that granted to
men. Prisoners of war shall retain the full civil capacity which they enjoyed
at the time of their capture. The Detaining Power may not restrict the exercise,
either within or without its own territory, of the rights such capacity confers
except in so far as the captivity requires.

Article 15

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.

Article 16

Taking into consideration the provisions of the present Convention relating
to rank and sex, and subject to any privileged treatment which may be accorded
to them by reason of their state of health, age or professional qualifications,
all prisoners of war shall be treated alike by the Detaining Power, without
any adverse distinction based on race, nationality, religious belief or political
opinions, or any other distinction founded on similar criteria.

PART III
CAPTIVITY
SECTION I
BEGINNING OF CAPTIVITY

Article 17

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. If he wilfully infringes
this rule, he may render himself liable to a restriction of the privileges accorded
to his rank or status.

Each Party to a conflict is required to furnish the persons under its jurisdiction
who are liable to become prisoners of war, with an identity card showing the
owner’s surname, first names, rank, army, regimental, personal or serial number
or equivalent information, and date of birth. The identity card may, furthermore,
bear the signature or the fingerprints, or both, of the owner, and may bear,
as well, any other information the Party to the conflict may wish to add concerning
persons belonging to its armed forces. As far as possible the card shall measure
6.5 x 10 cm. and shall be issued in duplicate. The identity card shall be shown
by the prisoner of war upon demand, but may in no case be taken away from him.

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.

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. The identity
of such prisoners shall be established by all possible means, subject to the
provisions of the preceding paragraph.

The questioning of prisoners of war shall be carried out in a language which
they understand.

Article 18

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.

At no time should prisoners of war be without identity documents. The Detaining
Power shall supply such documents to prisoners of war who possess none.

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, and after the amount and particulars of the owner have
been recorded in a special register and an itemized receipt has been given,
legibly inscribed with the name, rank and unit of the person issuing the said
receipt. Sums in the currency of the Detaining Power, or which are changed into
such currency at the prisoner’s request, shall be placed to the credit of the
prisoner’s account as provided in Article 64.

The Detaining Power may withdraw articles of value from prisoners of war only
for reasons of security; when such articles are withdrawn, the procedure laid
down for sums of money impounded shall apply.

Such objects, likewise the sums taken away in any currency other than that
of the Detaining Power and the conversion of which has not been asked for by
the owners, shall be kept in the custody of the Detaining Power and shall be
returned in their initial shape to prisoners of war at the end of their captivity.

Article 19

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.

Prisoners of war shall not be unnecessarily exposed to danger while awaiting
evacuation from a fighting zone.

Article 20

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.

If prisoners of war must, during evacuation, pass through transit camps, their
stay in such camps shall be as brief as possible.

SECTION II
INTERNMENT OF PRISONERS OF WAR
Chapter I
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Article 21

The Detaining Power may subject prisoners of war to internment. It may impose
on them the obligation of not leaving, beyond certain limits, the camp where
they are interned, or if the said camp is fenced in, of not going outside its
perimeter. Subject to the provisions of the present Convention relative to penal
and disciplinary sanctions, prisoners of war may not be held in close confinement
except where necessary to safeguard their health and then only during the continuation
of the circumstances which make such confinement necessary.

Prisoners of war may be partially or wholly released on parole or promise,
in so far as is allowed by the laws of the Power on which they depend. Such
measures shall be taken particularly in cases where this may contribute to the
improvement of their state of health. No prisoner of war shall be compelled
to accept liberty on parole or promise.

Upon the outbreak of hostilities, each Party to the conflict shall notify the
adverse Party of the laws and regulations allowing or forbidding its own nationals
to accept liberty on parole or promise. Prisoners of war who are paroled or
who have given their promise in conformity with the laws and regulations so
notified, are bound on their personal honour scrupulously to fulfil, both towards
the Power on which they depend and towards the Power which has captured them,
the engagements of their paroles or promises. In such cases, the Power on which
they depend is bound neither to require nor to accept from them any service
incompatible with the parole or promise given.

Article 22

Prisoners of war may be interned only in premises located on land and affording
every guarantee of hygiene and healthfulness. Except in particular cases which
are justified by the interest of the prisoners themselves, they shall not be
interned in penitentiaries.

Prisoners of war interned in unhealthy areas, or where the climate is injurious
for them, shall be removed as soon as possible to a more favourable climate.

The Detaining Power shall assemble prisoners of war in camps or camp compounds
according to their nationality, language and customs, provided that such prisoners
shall not be separated from prisoners of war belonging to the armed forces with
which they were serving at the time of their capture, except with their consent.

Article 23

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.

Prisoners of war shall have shelters against air bombardment and other hazards
of war, to the same extent as the local civilian population. With the exception
of those engaged in the protection of their quarters against the aforesaid hazards,
they may enter such shelters as soon as possible after the giving of the alarm.
Any other protective measure taken in favour of the population shall also apply
to them.

Detaining Powers shall give the Powers concerned, through the intermediary
of the Protecting Powers, all useful information regarding the geographical
location of prisoner of war camps.

Whenever military considerations permit, prisoner of war camps shall be indicated
in the day-time by the letters PW or PG, placed so as to be clearly visible
from the air. The Powers concerned may, however, agree upon any other system
of marking. Only prisoner of war camps shall be marked as such.

Article 24

Transit or screening camps of a permanent kind shall be fitted out under conditions
similar to those described in the present Section, and the prisoners therein
shall have the same treatment as in other camps.

Chapter II
QUARTERS, FOOD AND CLOTHING OF PRISONERS OF WAR

Article 25

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. The
said conditions shall make allowance for the habits and customs of the prisoners
and shall in no case be prejudicial to their health.

The foregoing provisions shall apply in particular to the dormitories of prisoners
of war as regards both total surface and minimum cubic space, and the general
installations, bedding and blankets.

The premises provided for the use of prisoners of war individually or collectively,
shall be entirely protected from dampness and adequately heated and lighted,
in particular between dusk and lights out. All precautions must be taken against
the danger of fire.

In any camps in which women prisoners of war, as well as men, are accommodated,
separate dormitories shall be provided for them.

Article 26

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.

The Detaining Power shall supply prisoners of war who work with such additional
rations as are necessary for the labour on which they are employed.

Sufficient drinking water shall be supplied to prisoners of war. The use of
tobacco shall be permitted.

Prisoners of war shall, as far as possible, be associated with the preparation
of their meals; they may be employed for that purpose in the kitchens. Furthermore,
they shall be given the means of preparing, themselves, the additional food
in their possession.

Adequate premises shall be provided for messing.

Collective disciplinary measures affecting food are prohibited.

Article 27

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. Uniforms of enemy armed forces
captured by the Detaining Power should, if suitable for the climate, be made
available to clothe prisoners of war.

The regular replacement and repair of the above articles shall be assured by
the Detaining Power. In addition, prisoners of war who work shall receive appropriate
clothing, wherever the nature of the work demands.

Article 28

Canteens shall be installed in all camps, where prisoners of war may procure
foodstuffs, soap and tobacco and ordinary articles in daily use. The tariff
shall never be in excess of local market prices. The profits made by camp canteens
shall be used for the benefit of the prisoners; a special fund shall be created
for this purpose. The prisoners’ representative shall have the right to collaborate
in the management of the canteen and of this fund.

When a camp is closed down, the credit balance of the special fund shall be
handed to an international welfare organization, to be employed for the benefit
of prisoners of war of the same nationality as those who have contributed to
the fund. In case of a general repatriation, such profits shall be kept by the
Detaining Power, subject to any agreement to the contrary between the Powers
concerned.

Chapter III
HYGIENE AND MEDICAL ATTENTION

Article 29

The Detaining Power shall be bound to take all sanitary measures necessary
to ensure the cleanliness and healthfulness of camps and to prevent epidemics.

Prisoners of war shall have for their use, day and night, conveniences which
conform to the rules of hygiene and are maintained in a constant state of cleanliness.
In any camps in which women prisoners of war are accommodated, separate conveniences
shall be provided for them.

Also, apart from the baths and showers with which the camps shall be furnished,
prisoners of war shall be provided with sufficient water and soap for their
personal toilet and for washing their personal laundry; the necessary installations,
facilities and time shall be granted them for that purpose.

Article 30

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 shall have the attention, preferably, of medical personnel
of the Power on which they depend and, if possible, of their nationality.

Prisoners of war may not be prevented from presenting themselves to the medical
authorities for examination. The detaining authorities shall, upon request,
issue to every prisoner who has undergone treatment, an official certificate
indicating the nature of his illness or injury, and the duration and kind of
treatment received. A duplicate of this certificate shall be forwarded to the
Central Prisoners of War Agency.

The costs of treatment, including those of any apparatus necessary for the
maintenance of prisoners of war in good health, particularly dentures and other
artificial appliances, and spectacles, shall be borne by the Detaining Power.

Article 31

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. For this purpose the
most efficient methods available shall be employed, e.g. periodic mass miniature
radiography for the early detection of tuberculosis.

Article 32

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.

Chapter IV

MEDICAL PERSONNEL AND CHAPLAINS RETAINED TO ASSIST PRISONERS OF WAR

Article 33

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 inistration to,
prisoners of war.

They shall continue to exercise their medical and spiritual functions for the
benefit of prisoners of war, preferably those belonging to the armed forces
upon which they depend, within the scope of the military laws and regulations
of the Detaining Power and under the control of its competent services, in accordance
with their professional etiquette. They shall also benefit by the following
facilities in the exercise of their medical or spiritual functions:

(a) They shall be authorized to visit periodically prisoners of war situated
in working detachments or in hospitals outside the camp. For this purpose, the
Detaining Power shall place at their disposal the necessary means of transport.

(b) The senior medical officer in each camp shall be responsible to the camp
military authorities for everything connected with the activities of retained
medical personnel. For this purpose, Parties to the conflict shall agree at
the outbreak of hostilities on the subject of the corresponding ranks of the
medical personnel, including that of societies mentioned in Article 26 of the
Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick
in Armed Forces in the Field of August 12, 1949. This senior medical officer,
as well as chaplains, shall have the right to deal with the competent authorities
of the camp on all questions relating to their duties. Such authorities shall
afford them all necessary facilities for correspondence relating to these questions.

(c) Although they shall be subject to the internal discipline of the camp in
which they are retained, such personnel may not be compelled to carry out any
work other than that concerned with their medical or religious duties.

During hostilities, the Parties to the conflict shall agree concerning the
possible relief of retained personnel and shall settle the procedure to be followed.

None of the preceding provisions shall relieve the Detaining Power of its obligations
with regard to prisoners of war from the medical or spiritual point of view.

Chapter V

RELIGIOUS, INTELLECTUAL AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

Article 34

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.

Adequate premises shall be provided where religious services may be held.

Article 35

Chaplains who fall into the hands of the enemy Power and who remain or are
retained with a view to assisting prisoners of war, shall be allowed to minister
to them and to exercise freely their ministry amongst prisoners of war of the
same religion, in accordance with their religious conscience. They shall be
allocated among the various camps and labour detachments containing prisoners
of war belonging to the same forces, speaking the same language or practising
the same religion. They shall enjoy the necessary facilities, including the
means of transport provided for in Article 33, for visiting the prisoners of
war outside their camp. They shall be free to correspond, subject to censorship,
on matters concerning their religious duties with the ecclesiastical authorities
in the country of detention and with international religious organizations.
Letters and cards which they may send for this purpose shall be in addition
to the quota provided for in Article 71.

Article 36

Prisoners of war who are ministers of religion, without having officiated as
chaplains to their own forces, shall be at liberty, whatever their denomination,
to minister freely to the members of their community. For this purpose, they
shall receive the same treatment as the chaplains retained by the Detaining
Power. They shall not be obliged to do any other work.

Article 37

When prisoners of war have not the assistance of a retained chaplain or of
a prisoner of war minister of their faith, a minister belonging to the prisoners’
or a similar denomination, or in his absence a qualified layman, if such a course
is feasible from a confessional point of view, shall be appointed, at the request
of the prisoners concerned, to fill this office. This appointment, subject to
the approval of the Detaining Power, shall take place with the agreement of
the community of prisoners concerned and, wherever necessary, with the approval
of the local religious authorities of the same faith. The person thus appointed
shall comply with all regulations established by the Detaining Power in the
interests of discipline and military security.

Article 38

While respecting the individual preferences of every prisoner, the Detaining
Power shall encourage the practice of intellectual, educational, and recreational
pursuits, sports and games amongst prisoners, and shall take the measures necessary
to ensure the exercise thereof by providing them with adequate premises and
necessary equipment.

Prisoners shall have opportunities for taking physical exercise, including
sports and games, and for being out of doors. Sufficient open spaces shall be
provided for this purpose in all camps.

Chapter VI

DISCIPLINE

Article 39

Every prisoner of war camp shall be put under the immediate authority of a
responsible commissioned officer belonging to the regular armed forces of the
Detaining Power. Such officer shall have in his possession a copy of the present
Convention; he shall ensure that its provisions are known to the camp staff
and the guard and shall be responsible, under the direction of his government,
for its application.

Prisoners of war, with the exception of officers, must salute and show to all
officers of the Detaining Power the external marks of respect provided for by
the regulations applying in their own forces.

Officer prisoners of war are bound to salute only officers of a higher rank
of the Detaining Power; they must, however, salute the camp commander regardless
of his rank.

Article 40

The wearing of badges of rank and nationality, as well as of decorations, shall
be permitted.

Article 41

In every camp the text of the present Convention and its Annexes and the contents
of any special agreement provided for in Article 6, shall be posted, in the
prisoners’ own language, at places where all may read them. Copies shall be
supplied, on request, to the prisoners who cannot have access to the copy which
has been posted.

Regulations, orders, notices and publications of every kind relating to the
conduct of prisoners of war shall be issued to them in a language which they
understand. Such regulations, orders and publications shall be posted in the
manner described above and copies shall be handed to the prisoners’ representative.
Every order and command addressed to prisoners of war individually must likewise
be given in a language which they understand.

Article 42

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.

Chapter VII
RANK OF PRISONERS OF WAR

Article 43

Upon the outbreak of hostilities, the Parties to the conflict shall communicate
to one another the titles and ranks of all the persons mentioned in Article
4 of the present Convention, in order to ensure equality of treatment between
prisoners of equivalent rank. Titles and ranks which are subsequently created
shall form the subject of similar communications.

The Detaining Power shall recognize promotions in rank which have been accorded
to prisoners of war and which have been duly notified by the Power on which
these prisoners depend.

Article 44

Officers and prisoners of equivalent status shall be treated with the regard
due to their rank and age.

In order to ensure service in officers’ camps, other ranks of the same armed
forces who, as far as possible, speak the same language, shall be assigned in
sufficient numbers, account being taken of the rank of officers and prisoners
of equivalent status. Such orderlies shall not be required to perform any other
work.

Supervision of the mess by the officers themselves shall be facilitated in
every way.

Article 45

Prisoners of war other than officers and prisoners of equivalent status shall
be treated with the regard due to their rank and age.

Supervision of the mess by the prisoners themselves shall be facilitated in
every way.

Chapter VIII
TRANSFER OF PRISONERS OF WAR AFTER THEIR ARRIVAL IN CAMP

Article 46

The Detaining Power, when deciding upon the transfer of prisoners of war, shall
take into account the interests of the prisoners themselves, more especially
so as not to increase the difficulty of their repatriation.

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. The Detaining Power shall take adequate
precautions especially in case of transport by sea or by air, to ensure their
safety during transfer, and shall draw up a complete list of all transferred
prisoners before their departure.

Article 47

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.

If the combat zone draws closer to a camp, the prisoners of war in the said
camp shall not be transferred unless their transfer can be carried out in adequate
conditions of safety, or if they are exposed to greater risks by remaining on
the spot than by being transferred.

Article 48

In the event of transfer, prisoners of war shall be officially advised of their
departure and of their new postal address. Such notifications shall be given
in time for them to pack their luggage and inform their next of kin.

They shall be allowed to take with them their personal effects, and the correspondence
and parcels which have arrived for them. The weight of such baggage may be limited,
if the conditions of transfer so require, to what each prisoner can reasonably
carry, which shall in no case be more than twenty-five kilograms per head.

Mail and parcels addressed to their former camp shall be forwarded to them
without delay. The camp commander shall take, in agreement with the prisoners’
representative, any measures needed to ensure the transport of the prisoners’
community property and of the luggage they are unable to take with them in consequence
of restrictions imposed by virtue of the second paragraph of this Article.

The costs of transfers shall be borne by the Detaining Power.

SECTION III

LABOUR OF PRISONERS OF WAR

Article 49

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.

Non-commissioned officers who are prisoners of war shall only be required to
do supervisory work. Those not so required may ask for other suitable work which
shall, so far as possible, be found for them.

If officers or persons of equivalent status ask for suitable work, it shall
be found for them, so far as possible, but they may in no circumstances be compelled
to work.

Article 50

Besides work connected with camp administration, installation or maintenance,
prisoners of war may be compelled to do only such work as is included in the
following classes:

(a) Agriculture;

(b) Industries connected with the production or the extraction of raw materials,
and manufacturing industries, with the exception of metallurgical, machinery
and chemical industries; public works and building operations which have no
military character or purpose;

(c) Transport and handling of stores which are not military in character or
purpose;

(d) Commercial business, and arts and crafts;

(e) Domestic service;

(f) Public utility services having no military character or purpose.

Should the above provisions be infringed, prisoners of war shall be allowed
to exercise their right of complaint, in conformity with Article 78.

Article 51

Prisoners of war must be granted suitable working conditions, especially as
regards accommodation, food, clothing and equipment; such conditions shall not
be inferior to those enjoyed by nationals of the Detaining Power employed in
similar work; account shall also be taken of climatic conditions.

The Detaining Power, in utilizing the labour of prisoners of war, shall ensure
that in areas in which prisoners are employed, the national legislation concerning
the protection of labour, and, more particularly, the regulations for the safety
of workers, are duly applied.

Prisoners of war shall receive training and be provided with the means of protection
suitable to the work they will have to do and similar to those accorded to the
nationals of the Detaining Power. Subject to the provisions of Article 52, prisoners
may be submitted to the normal risks run by these civilian workers.

Conditions of labour shall in no case be rendered more arduous by disciplinary
measures.

Article 52

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.

Article 53

The duration of the daily labour of prisoners of war, including the time of
the journey to and fro, shall not be excessive, and must in no case exceed that
permitted for civilian workers in the district, who are nationals of the Detaining
Power and employed on the same work.

Prisoners of war must be allowed, in the middle of the day’s work, a rest of
not less than one hour. This rest will be the same as that to which workers
of the Detaining Power are entitled, if the latter is of longer duration. They
shall be allowed in addition a rest of twenty-four consecutive hours every week,
preferably on Sunday or the day of rest in their country of origin. Furthermore,
every prisoner who has worked for one year shall be granted a rest of eight
consecutive days, during which his working pay shall be paid him.

If methods of labour such as piece-work are employed, the length of the working
period shall not be rendered excessive thereby.

Article 54

The working pay due to prisoners of war shall be fixed in accordance with the
provisions of Article 62 of the present Convention.

Prisoners of war who sustain accidents in connection with work, or who contract
a disease in the course, or in consequence of their work, shall receive all
the care their condition may require. The Detaining Power shall furthermore
deliver to such prisoners of war a medical certificate enabling them to submit
their claims to the Power on which they depend, and shall send a duplicate to
the Central Prisoners of War Agency provided for in Article 123.

Article 55

The fitness of prisoners of war for work shall be periodically verified by
medical examinations at least once a month. The examinations shall have particular
regard to the nature of the work which prisoners of war are required to do.
If any prisoner of war considers himself incapable of working, he shall be permitted
to appear before the medical authorities of his camp. Physicians or surgeons
may recommend that the prisoners who are, in their opinion, unfit for work,
be exempted therefrom.

Article 56

The organization and administration of labour detachments shall be similar
to those of prisoner of war camps.

Every labour detachment shall remain under the control of and administratively
part of a prisoner of war camp. The military authorities and the commander of
the said camp shall be responsible, under the direction of their government,
for the observance of the provisions of the present Convention in labour detachments.

The camp commander shall keep an up-to-date record of the labour detachments
dependent on his camp, and shall communicate it to the delegates of the Protecting
Power, of the International Committee of the Red Cross, or of other agencies
giving relief to prisoners of war, who may visit the camp.

Article 57

The treatment of prisoners of war who work for private persons, even if the
latter are responsible for guarding and protecting them, shall not be inferior
to that which is provided for by the present Convention. The Detaining Power,
the military authorities and the commander of the camp to which such prisoners
belong shall be entirely responsible for the maintenance, care, treatment, and
payment of the working pay of such prisoners of war.

Such prisoners of war shall have the right to remain in communication with
the prisoners’ representatives in the camps on which they depend.

SECTION IV
FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF PRISONERS OF WAR

Article 58

Upon the outbreak of hostilities, and pending an arrangement on this matter
with the Protecting Power, the Detaining Power may determine the maximum amount
of money in cash or in any similar form, that prisoners may have in their possession.
Any amount in excess, which was properly in their possession and which has been
taken or withheld from them, shall be placed to their account, together with
any monies deposited by them, and shall not be converted into any other currency
without their consent.

If prisoners of war are permitted to purchase services or commodities outside
the camp against payment in cash, such payments shall be made by the prisoner
himself or by the camp administration who will charge them to the accounts of
the prisoners concerned. The Detaining Power will establish the necessary rules
in this respect.

Article 59

Cash which was taken from prisoners of war, in accordance with Article 18,
at the time of their capture, and which is in the currency of the Detaining
Power, shall be placed to their separate accounts, in accordance with the provisions
of Article 64 of the present Section.

The amounts, in the currency of the Detaining Power, due to the conversion
of sums in other currencies that are taken from the prisoners of war at the
same time, shall also be credited to their separate accounts.

Article 60

The Detaining Power shall grant all prisoners of war a monthly advance of pay,
the amount of which shall be fixed by conversion, into the currency of the said
Power, of the following amounts:

Category I: Prisoners ranking below sergeant: eight Swiss francs.

Category II: Sergeants and other non-commissioned officers, or prisoners of
equivalent rank: twelve Swiss francs.

Category III: Warrant officers and commissioned officers below the rank of
major or prisoners of equivalent rank: fifty Swiss francs.

Category IV: Majors, lieutenant-colonels, colonels or prisoners of equivalent
rank: sixty Swiss francs.

Category V: General officers or prisoners of equivalent rank: seventy-five
Swiss francs.

However, the Parties to the conflict concerned may by special agreement modify
the amount of advances of pay due to prisoners of the preceding categories.

Furthermore, if the amounts indicated in the first paragraph above would be
unduly high compared with the pay of the Detaining Power’s armed forces or would,
for any reason, seriously embarrass the Detaining Power, then, pending the conclusion
of a special agreement with the Power on which the prisoners depend to vary
the amounts indicated above, the Detaining Power:

(a) Shall continue to credit the accounts of the prisoners with the amounts
indicated in the first paragraph above;

(b) May temporarily limit the amount made available from these advances of
pay to prisoners of war for their own use, to sums which are reasonable, but
which, for Category I, shall never be inferior to the amount that the Detaining
Power gives to the members of its own armed forces.

The reasons for any limitations will be given without delay to the Protecting
Power.

Article 61

The Detaining Power shall accept for distribution as supplementary pay to prisoners
of war sums which the Power on which the prisoners depend may forward to them,
on condition that the sums to be paid shall be the same for each prisoner of
the same category, shall be payable to all prisoners of that category depending
on that Power, and shall be placed in their separate accounts, at the earliest
opportunity, in accordance with the provisions of Article 64. Such supplementary
pay shall not relieve the Detaining Power of any obligation under this Convention.

Article 62

Prisoners of war shall be paid a fair working rate of pay by the detaining
authorities direct. The rate shall be fixed by the said authorities, but shall
at no time be less than one-fourth of one Swiss franc for a full working day.
The Detaining Power shall inform prisoners of war, as well as the Power on which
they depend, through the intermediary of the Protecting Power, of the rate of
daily working pay that it has fixed.

Working pay shall likewise be paid by the detaining authorities to prisoners
of war permanently detailed to duties or to a skilled or semi-skilled occupation
in connection with the administration, installation or maintenance of camps,
and to the prisoners who are required to carry out spiritual or medical duties
on behalf of their comrades.

The working pay of the prisoners’ representative, of his advisers, if any,
and of his assistants, shall be paid out of the fund maintained by canteen profits.
The scale of this working pay shall be fixed by the prisoners’ representative
and approved by the camp commander. If there is no such fund, the detaining
authorities shall pay these prisoners a fair working rate of pay.

Article 63

Prisoners of war shall be permitted to receive remittances of money addressed
to them individually or collectively.

Every prisoner of war shall have at his disposal the credit balance of his
account as provided for in the following Article, within the limits fixed by
the Detaining Power, which shall make such payments as are requested. Subject
to financial or monetary restrictions which the Detaining Power regards as essential,
prisoners of war may also have payments made abroad. In this case payments addressed
by prisoners of war to dependants shall be given priority.

In any event, and subject to the consent of the Power on which they depend,
prisoners may have payments made in their own country, as follows: the Detaining
Power shall send to the aforesaid Power through the Protecting Power a notification
giving all the necessary particulars concerning the prisoners of war, the beneficiaries
of the payments, and the amount of the sums to be paid, expressed in the Detaining
Power’s currency. The said notification shall be signed by the prisoners and
countersigned by the camp commander. The Detaining Power shall debit the prisoners’
account by a corresponding amount; the sums thus debited shall be placed by
it to the credit of the Power on which the prisoners depend.

To apply the foregoing provisions, the Detaining Power may usefully consult
the Model Regulations in Annex V of the present Convention.

Article 64

The Detaining Power shall hold an account for each prisoner of war, showing
at least the following:

1. The amounts due to the prisoner or received by him as advances of pay, as
working pay or derived from any other source; the sums in the currency of the
Detaining Power which were taken from him; the sums taken from him and converted
at his request into the currency of the said Power.

2. The payments made to the prisoner in cash, or in any other similar form;
the payments made on his behalf and at his request; the sums transferred under
Article 63, third paragraph.

Article 65

Every item entered in the account of a prisoner of war shall be countersigned
or initialled by him, or by the prisoners’ representative acting on his behalf.

Prisoners of war shall at all times be afforded reasonable facilities for consulting
and obtaining copies of their accounts, which may likewise be inspected by the
representatives of the Protecting Powers at the time of visits to the camp.

When prisoners of war are transferred from one camp to another, their personal
accounts will follow them. In case of transfer from one Detaining Power to another,
the monies which are their property and are not in the currency of the Detaining
Power will follow them. They shall be given certificates for any other monies
standing to the credit of their accounts.

The Parties to the conflict concerned may agree to notify to each other at
specific intervals through the Protecting Power, the amount of the accounts
of the prisoners of war.

Article 66

On the termination of captivity, through the release of a prisoner of war or
his repatriation, the Detaining Power shall give him a statement, signed by
an authorized officer of that Power, showing the credit balance then due to
him. The Detaining Power shall also send through the Protecting Power to the
government upon which the prisoner of war depends, lists giving all appropriate
particulars of all prisoners of war whose captivity has been terminated by repatriation,
release, escape, death or any other means, and showing the amount of their credit
balances. Such lists shall be certified on each sheet by an authorized representative
of the Detaining Power.

Any of the above provisions of this Article may be varied by mutual agreement
between any two Parties to the conflict.

The Power on which the prisoner of war depends shall be responsible for settling
with him any credit balance due to him from the Detaining Power on the termination
of his captivity.

Article 67

Advances of pay, issued to prisoners of war in conformity with Article 60,
shall be considered as made on behalf of the Power on which they depend. Such
advances of pay, as well as all payments made by the said Power under Article
63, third paragraph, and Article 68, shall form the subject of arrangements
between the Powers concerned, at the close of hostilities.

Article 68

Any claim by a prisoner of war for compensation in respect of any injury or
other disability arising out of work shall be referred to the Power on which
he depends, through the Protecting Power. In accordance with Article 54, the
Detaining Power will, in all cases, provide the prisoner of war concerned with
a statement showing the nature of the injury or disability, the circumstances
in which it arose and particulars of medical or hospital treatment given for
it. This statement will be signed by a responsible officer of the Detaining
Power and the medical particulars certified by a medical officer.

Any claim by a prisoner of war for compensation in respect of personal effects,
monies or valuables impounded by the Detaining Power under Article 18 and not
forthcoming on his repatriation, or in respect of loss alleged to be due to
the fault of the Detaining Power or any of its servants, shall likewise be referred
to the Power on which he depends. Nevertheless, any such personal effects required
for use by the prisoners of war whilst in captivity shall be replaced at the
expense of the Detaining Power. The Detaining Power will, in all cases, provide
the prisoner of war with a statement, signed by a responsible officer, showing
all available information regarding the reasons why such effects, monies or
valuables have not been restored to him. A copy of this statement will be forwarded
to the Power on which he depends through the Central Prisoners of War Agency
provided for in Article 123.

SECTION V
RELATIONS OF PRISONERS OF WAR WITH THE EXTERIOR

Article 69

Immediately upon prisoners of war falling into its power, the Detaining Power
shall inform them and the Powers on which they depend, through the Protecting
Power, of the measures taken to carry out the provisions of the present Section.
They shall likewise inform the parties concerned of any subsequent modifications
of such measures.

Article 70

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 provided
for in Article 123, on the other hand, a card similar, if possible, to the model
annexed to the present Convention, informing his relatives of his capture, address
and state of health. The said cards shall be forwarded as rapidly as possible
and may not be delayed in any manner.

Article 71

Prisoners of war shall be allowed to send and receive letters and cards. If
the Detaining Power deems it necessary to limit the number of letters and cards
sent by each prisoner of war, the said number shall not be less than two letters
and four cards monthly, exclusive of the capture cards provided for in Article
70, and conforming as closely as possible to the models annexed to the present
Convention. Further limitations may be imposed only if the Protecting Power
is satisfied that it would be in the interests of the prisoners of war concerned
to do so owing to difficulties of translation caused by the Detaining Power’s
inability to find sufficient qualified linguists to carry out the necessary
censorship. If limitations must be placed on the correspondence addressed to
prisoners of war, they may be ordered only by the Power on which the prisoners
depend, possibly at the request of the Detaining Power. Such letters and cards
must be conveyed by the most rapid method at the disposal of the Detaining Power;
they may not be delayed or retained for disciplinary reasons.

Prisoners of war who have been without news for a long period, or who are unable
to receive news from their next of kin or to give them news by the ordinary
postal route, as well as those who are at a great distance from their homes,
shall be permitted to send telegrams, the fees being charged against the prisoners
of war’s accounts with the Detaining Power or paid in the currency at their
disposal. They shall likewise benefit by this measure in cases of urgency.

As a general rule, the correspondence of prisoners of war shall be written
in their native language. The Parties to the conflict may allow correspondence
in other languages.

Sacks containing prisoner of war mail must be securely sealed and labelled
so as clearly to indicate their contents, and must be addressed to offices of
destination.

Article 72

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 which may meet their needs, including books, devotional articles,
scientific equipment, examination papers, musical instruments, sports outfits
and materials allowing prisoners of war to pursue their studies or their cultural
activities.

Such shipments shall in no way free the Detaining Power from the obligations
imposed upon it by virtue of the present Convention.

The only limits which may be placed on these shipments shall be those proposed
by the Protecting Power in the interest of the prisoners themselves, or by the
International Committee of the Red Cross or any other organization giving assistance
to the prisoners, in respect of their own shipments only, on account of exceptional
strain on transport or communications.

The conditions for the sending of individual parcels and collective relief
shall, if necessary, be the subject of special agreements between the Powers
concerned, which may in no case delay the receipt by the prisoners of relief
supplies. Books may not be included in parcels of clothing and foodstuffs. Medical
supplies shall, as a rule, be sent in collective parcels.

Article 73

In the absence of special agreements between the Powers concerned on the conditions
for the receipt and distribution of collective relief shipments, the rules and
regulations concerning collective shipments, which are annexed to the present
Convention, shall be applied.

The special agreements referred to above shall in no case restrict the right
of prisoners’ representatives to take possession of collective relief shipments
intended for prisoners of war, to proceed to their distribution or to dispose
of them in the interest of the prisoners.

Nor shall such agreements restrict the right of representatives of the Protecting
Power, the International Committee of the Red Cross or any other organization
giving assistance to prisoners of war and responsible for the forwarding of
collective shipments, to supervise their distribution to the recipients.

Article 74

All relief shipments for prisoners of war shall be exempt from import, customs
and other dues.

Correspondence, relief shipments and authorized remittances of money addressed
to prisoners of war or despatched by them through the post office, either direct
or through the Information Bureaux provided for in Article 122 and the Central
Prisoners of War Agency provided for in Article 123, shall be exempt from any
postal dues, both in the countries of origin and destination, and in intermediate
countries.

If relief shipments intended for prisoners of war cannot be sent through the
post office by reason of weight or for any other cause, the cost of transportation
shall be borne by the Detaining Power in all the territories under its control.
The other Powers party to the Convention shall bear the cost of transport in
their respective territories.

In the absence of special agreements between the Parties concerned, the costs
connected with transport of such shipments, other than costs covered by the
above exemption, shall be charged to the senders.

The High Contracting Parties shall endeavour to reduce, so far as possible,
the rates charged for telegrams sent by prisoners of war, or addressed to them.

Article 75

Should military operations prevent the Powers concerned from fulfilling their
obligation to assure the transport of the shipments referred to in Articles
70, 71, 72 and 77, the Protecting Powers concerned, the International Committee
of the Red Cross or any other organization duly approved by the Parties to the
conflict may undertake to ensure the conveyance of such shipments by suitable
means (railway wagons, motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft, etc.). For this
purpose, the High Contracting Parties shall endeavour to supply them with such
transport and to allow its circulation, especially by granting the necessary
safe-conducts.

Such transport may also be used to convey:

(a) Correspondence, lists and reports exchanged between the Central Information
Agency referred to in Article 123 and the National Bureaux referred to in Article
122;

(b) Correspondence and reports relating to prisoners of war which the Protecting
Powers, the International Committee of the Red Cross or any other body assisting
the prisoners, exchange either with their own delegates or with the Parties
to the conflict.

These provisions in no way detract from the right of any Party to the conflict
to arrange other means of transport, if it should so prefer, nor preclude the
granting of safe-conducts, under mutually agreed conditions, to such means of
transport.

In the absence of special agreements, the costs occasioned by the use of such
means of transport shall be borne proportionally by the Parties to the conflict
whose nationals are benefited thereby.

Article 76

The censoring of correspondence addressed to prisoners of war or despatched
by them shall be done as quickly as possible. Mail shall be censored only by
the despatching State and the receiving State, and once only by each.

The examination of consignments intended for prisoners of war shall not be
carried out under conditions that will expose the goods contained in them to
deterioration; except in the case of written or printed matter, it shall be
done in the presence of the addressee, or of a fellow-prisoner duly delegated
by him. The delivery to prisoners of individual or collective consignments shall
not be delayed under the pretext of difficulties of censorship.

Any prohibition of correspondence ordered by Parties to the conflict, either
for military or political reasons, shall be only temporary and its duration
shall be as short as possible.

Article 77

The Detaining Powers shall provide all facilities for the transmission, through
the Protecting Power or the Central Prisoners of War Agency provided for in
Article 123, of instruments, papers or documents intended for prisoners of war
or despatched by them, especially powers of attorney and wills.

In all cases they shall facilitate the preparation and execution of such documents
on behalf of prisoners of war; in particular, they shall allow them to consult
a lawyer and shall take what measures are necessary for the authentication of
their signatures.

SECTION VI
RELATIONS BETWEEN PRISONERS OF WAR AND THE AUTHORITIES
Chapter I
COMPLAINTS OF PRISONERS OF WAR RESPECTING THE CONDITIONS OF CAPTIVITY

Article 78

Prisoners of war shall have the right to make known to the military authorities
in whose power they are, their requests regarding the conditions of captivity
to which they are subjected.

They shall also have the unrestricted right to apply to the representatives
of the Protecting Powers either through their prisoners’ representative or,
if they consider it necessary, direct, in order to draw their attention to any
points on which they may have complaints to make regarding their conditions
of captivity.

These requests and complaints shall not be limited nor considered to be a part
of the correspondence quota referred to in Article 71. They must be transmitted
immediately. Even if they are recognized to be unfounded, they may not give
rise to any punishment.

Prisoners’ representatives may send periodic reports on the situation in the
camps and the needs of the prisoners of war to the representatives of the Protecting
Powers.

Chapter II
PRISONER OF WAR REPRESENTATIVES

Article 79

In all places where there are prisoners of war, except in those where there
are officers, the prisoners shall freely elect by secret ballot, every six months,
and also in case of vacancies, prisoners’ representatives entrusted with representing
them before the military authorities, the Protecting Powers, the International
Committee of the Red Cross and any other organization which may assist them.
These prisoners’ representatives shall be eligible for re-election.

In camps for officers and persons of equivalent status or in mixed camps, the
senior officer among the prisoners of war shall be recognized as the camp prisoners’
representative. In camps for officers, he shall be assisted by one or more advisers
chosen by the officers; in mixed camps, his assistants shall be chosen from
among the prisoners of war who are not officers and shall be elected by them.

Officer prisoners of war of the same nationality shall be stationed in labour
camps for prisoners of war, for the purpose of carrying out the camp administration
duties for which the prisoners of war are responsible. These officers may be
elected as prisoners’ representatives under the first paragraph of this Article.
In such a case the assistants to the prisoners’ representatives shall be chosen
from among those prisoners of war who are not officers.

Every representative elected must be approved by the Detaining Power before
he has the right to commence his duties. Where the Detaining Power refuses to
approve a prisoner of war elected by his fellow prisoners of war, it must inform
the Protecting Power of the reason for such refusal.

In all cases the prisoners’ representative must have the same nationality,
language and customs as the prisoners of war whom he represents. Thus, prisoners
of war distributed in different sections of a camp, according to their nationality,
language or customs, shall have for each section their own prisoners’ representative,
in accordance with the foregoing paragraphs.

Article 80

Prisoners’ representatives shall further the physical, spiritual and intellectual
well-being of prisoners of war.

In particular, where the prisoners decide to organize amongst themselves a
system of mutual assistance, this organization will be within the province of
the prisoners’ representative, in addition to the special duties entrusted to
him by other provisions of the present Convention.

Prisoners’ representatives shall not be held responsible, simply by reason
of their duties, for any offences committed by prisoners of war.

Article 81

Prisoners’ representatives shall not be required to perform any other work,
if the accomplishment of their duties is thereby made more difficult.

Prisoners’ representatives may appoint from amongst the prisoners such assistants
as they may require. All material facilities shall be granted them, particularly
a certain freedom of movement necessary for the accomplishment of their duties
(inspection of labour detachments, receipt of supplies, etc.).

Prisoners’ representatives shall be permitted to visit premises where prisoners
of war are detained, and every prisoner of war shall have the right to consult
freely his prisoners’ representative.

All facilities shall likewise be accorded to the prisoners’ representatives
for communication by post and telegraph with the detaining authorities, the
Protecting Powers, the International Committee of the Red Cross and their delegates,
the Mixed Medical Commissions and with the bodies which give assistance to prisoners
of war. Prisoners’ representatives of labour detachments shall enjoy the same
facilities for communication with the prisoners’ representatives of the principal
camp. Such communications shall not be restricted, nor considered as forming
a part of the quota mentioned in Article 71.

Prisoners’ representatives who are transferred shall be allowed a reasonable
time to acquaint their successors with current affairs.

In case of dismissal, the reasons therefor shall be communicated to the Protecting
Power.

Chapter III
PENAL AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS
I. General provisions

Article 82

A prisoner of war shall be subject to the laws, regulations and orders in force
in the armed forces of the Detaining Power; the Detaining Power shall be justified
in taking judicial or disciplinary measures in respect of any offence committed
by a prisoner of war against such laws, regulations or orders. However, no proceedings
or punishments contrary to the provisions of this Chapter shall be allowed.

If any law, regulation or order of the Detaining Power shall declare acts committed
by a prisoner of war to be punishable, whereas the same acts would not be punishable
if committed by a member of the forces of the Detaining Power, such acts shall
entail disciplinary punishments only.

Article 83

In deciding whether proceedings in respect of an offence alleged to have been
committed by a prisoner of war shall be judicial or disciplinary, the Detaining
Power shall ensure that the competent authorities exercise the greatest leniency
and adopt, wherever possible, disciplinary rather than judicial measures.

Article 84

A prisoner of war shall be tried only by a military court, unless the existing
laws of the Detaining Power expressly permit the civil courts to try a member
of the armed forces of the Detaining Power in respect of the particular offence
alleged to have been committed by the prisoner of war.

In no circumstances whatever shall a prisoner of war be tried by a court of
any kind which does not offer the essential guarantees of independence and impartiality
as generally recognized, and, in particular, the procedure of which does not
afford the accused the rights and means of defence provided for in Article 105.

Article 85

Prisoners of war prosecuted under the laws of the Detaining Power for acts
committed prior to capture shall retain, even if convicted, the benefits of
the present Convention.

Article 86

No prisoner of war may be punished more than once for the same act, or on the
same charge.

Article 87

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.

When fixing the penalty, the courts or authorities of the Detaining Power shall
take into consideration, to the widest extent possible, the fact that the accused,
not being a national of the Detaining Power, is not bound to it by any duty
of allegiance, and that he is in its power as the result of circumstances independent
of his own will. The said courts or authorities shall be at liberty to reduce
the penalty provided for the violation of which the prisoner of war is accused,
and shall therefore not be bound to apply the minimum penalty prescribed.

Collective punishment for individual acts, corporal punishments, imprisonment
in premises without daylight and, in general, any form of torture or cruelty,
are forbidden.

No prisoner of war may be deprived of his rank by the Detaining Power, or prevented
from wearing his badges.

Article 88

Officers, non-commissioned officers and men who are prisoners of war undergoing
a disciplinary or judicial punishment, shall not be subjected to more severe
treatment than that applied in respect of the same punishment to members of
the armed forces of the Detaining Power of equivalent rank.

A woman prisoner of war shall not be awarded or sentenced to a punishment more
severe, or treated whilst undergoing punishment more severely, than a woman
member of the armed forces of the Detaining Power dealt with for a similar offence.

In no case may a woman prisoner of war be awarded or sentenced to a punishment
more severe, or treated whilst undergoing punishment more severely, than a male
member of the armed forces of the Detaining Power dealt with for a similar offence.

Prisoners of war who have served disciplinary or judicial sentences may not
be treated differently from other prisoners of war.

II. Disciplinary sanctions

Article 89

The disciplinary punishments applicable to prisoners of war are the following:

1. A fine which shall not exceed 50 per cent of the advances of pay and working
pay which the prisoner of war would otherwise receive under the provisions of
Articles 60 and 62 during a period of not more than thirty days.

2. Discontinuance of privileges granted over and above the treatment provided
for by the present Convention.

3. Fatigue duties not exceeding two hours daily.

4. Confinement.

The punishment referred to under (3) shall not be applied to officers.

In no case shall disciplinary punishments be inhuman, brutal or dangerous to
the health of prisoners of war.

Article 90

The duration of any single punishment shall in no case exceed thirty days.
Any period of confinement awaiting the hearing of a disciplinary offence or
the award of disciplinary punishment shall be deducted from an award pronounced
against a prisoner of war.

The maximum of thirty days provided above may not be exceeded, even if the
prisoner of war is answerable for several acts at the same time when he is awarded
punishment, whether such acts are related or not.

The period between the pronouncing of an award of disciplinary punishment and
its execution shall not exceed one month.

When a prisoner of war is awarded a further disciplinary punishment, a period
of at least three days shall elapse between the execution of any two of the
punishments, if the duration of one of these is ten days or more.

Article 91

The escape of a prisoner of war shall be deemed to have succeeded when:

1. He has joined the armed forces of the Power on which he depends, or those
of an allied Power;

2. He has left the territory under the control of the Detaining Power, or of
an ally of the said Power;

3. He has joined a ship flying the flag of the Power on which he depends, or
of an allied Power, in the territorial waters of the Detaining Power, the said
ship not being under the control of the last-named Power.

Prisoners of war who have made good their escape in the sense of this Article
and who are recaptured, shall not be liable to any punishment in respect of
their previous escape.

Article 92

A prisoner of war who attempts to escape and is recaptured before having made
good his escape in the sense of Article 91 shall be liable only to a disciplinary
punishment in respect of this act, even if it is a repeated offence.

A prisoner of war who is recaptured shall be handed over without delay to the
competent military authority.

Article 88, fourth paragraph, notwithstanding, prisoners of war punished as
a result of an unsuccessful escape may be subjected to special surveillance.
Such surveillance must not affect the state of their health, must be undergone
in a prisoner of war camp, and must not entail the suppression of any of the
safeguards granted them by the present Convention.

Article 93

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-enrichme