i n t r o d u c t i o n Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949.
General title Diplomatic Conference of Geneva of 1949.
Forum of adoption Diplomatic Conference of Geneva of 1949
In force yes
Entry into force 21.10.1950
The present Convention replaced the Prisoners of War Convention of 1929. It contains 143 Articles whereas the 1929 Convention had only 97. It became necessary to revise the 1929 Convention on a number of points owing to the changes that had occurred in the conduct of warfare and the consequences thereof, as well as in the living condition of peoples. Experience had shown that the daily life of prisoners depended specifically on the interpretation given to the general regulations. Consequently, certain regulations were given a more explicit form which was lacking in the preceding provisions. Since the text of the Convention is to be posted in all prisoner of war camps (see Article 41) it has to be comprehensible not only to the authorities but also to the ordinary reader at any time. The categories of persons entitled to prisoner of war status were broadened in accordance with Conventions I and II. The conditions and places of captivity were more precisely defined, in particular with regard to the labour of prisoners of war, their financial resources, the relief they receive and the judicial proceedings instituted against them. The Convention establishes the principle that prisoners of war shall be released and repatriated without delay after the cessation of active hostilities (Article 118)
Meetings of forum 21.04.1949 - 12.08.1949, Geneva
Dade of adoption 12.08.1949
Depositary Switzerland
Number of articles 143 + 5 annexes
Authentic text English; French
Source The Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, pp.75-152.
Keywords PROTECTION; REPATRIATION; WOUNDED; SICK; INTERNATIONAL ARMED CONFLICT; WAR VICTIM; PRISONER OF WAR; DEPRIVATION OF LIBERTY; CONDITIONS OF DETENTION; NON-INTERNATIONAL ARMED CONFLICT; NEUTRAL STATE; TREATMENT; INTERNMENT; INTERNMENT IN A NEUTRAL COUNTRY
