Yes, children can be prisoners of war. This is a sad fact of any armed conflict, where children may be impacted directly or become collateral damage. During times of war, even those too young to fight can become prisoners.
According to War Child International, currently over 7,000 children are held in conflict-related detention worldwide.
International law is clear that children must not be in any way specifically targeted in times of conflict. Additionally, international humanitarian law provides specific protection for children in situations of armed conflict by prohibiting attacks on civilians and limiting the use of certain weapons.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) also states that children should not be forced to take part in hostilities or used as prisoners of war. It also mandates that children who are detained as a result of armed conflict be treated in a properly humane, considerate and appropriate manner.
Regardless of international laws, sadly the reality is that children get caught up in situations beyond their control and can be taken as prisoners of war. Repercussions can linger far beyond the war into their adulthood.
Table of Contents
Who is not entitled to prisoner of war?
Prisoners of War (POWs) are members of the armed forces who are captured or a civilian who is taken captive during wartime. The term generally refers to individuals who are held in a state of captivity by enemy forces.
Generally, those not entitled to POW status include spies, mercenaries, members of militia or irregular military force, persons recruited or induced to take part in hostilities against their own country, and those deemed to have committed war crimes or other crimes against humanity.
Additionally, persons who are not members of a recognized combatant force, or who are not enlisted members of the armed forces of a combatant power, may not be entitled to POW status. This includes civilians who accompany their country’s military forces during wartime and combatants acting outside the authority of any recognized nation or combatant power.
Who is not covered by the Geneva Convention?
The Geneva Convention is a set of four international treaties drafted at the end of 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century in order to facilitate the legal protection of both warring and non-belligerent parties in times of conflict.
It requires all involved to follow certain humanitarian rules when conducting combat operations. There are many individuals who are not covered by the Geneva Convention, such as:
1. Civilians who take a direct part in hostilities: Civilians are considered noncombatants under the agreements set forth in the Geneva Convention. However, if individuals who are not part of the military forces are participating in a conflict, such as helping to provide supplies or knowledge to one of the belligerents, they are not shielded by the agreement.
2. Members of the Armed Forces of a non-signatory or State not party to the conflict: The Geneva Conventions only offer protection to those individuals of signatory states, or states that have ratified the conventions.
Those individuals who are part of the military forces of a state that is not a signatory or is not a participant in the conflict, do not receive protection under this law.
3. Unprivileged combatants: Unprivileged combatants, or combatants who do not follow the rules of war, are often ignored by the Geneva Conventions. This includes those individuals such as mercenaries, guerillas, and assassins.
4. Combatants who do not carry their arms openly: Signatory parties to the Geneva Convention must carry arms openly, and those who do not are not included in the agreement.
What are the requirements for a POW Medal?
The POW Medal is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces who, while serving on active duty, is taken prisoner and held captive after April 5, 1917. The individual must have been held against their will and must have demonstrated satisfactory evidence of physical hardship, including ill-treatment, during confinement.
The individual must have been held for a period of more than 30 days and not less than one day.
The POW Medal is usually presented to the service member in person by the President, Secretary of Defense, or Secretary of the Military Department of which the service member is a part. In cases where the service member is deceased, the next of kin may receive the medal on behalf of the service member.
The requirements for POW status include an official documentation of being held as a Prisoner of War for 30 days or more, or an affidavit from one of the fellow POWs who were present (not a family member).
If a member’s claim of being a POW was disputed, documentary proof such as a POW camp roster with the member’s name on it must be presented to support the claim.
To receive the Medal of Honor, the service member must have received either a Commissioned Officer’s commission, a Badge of Military Merit, or a Good Conduct Medal.
To be eligible for the POW Medal, the service member must have been held as a Prisoner of War for at least one year or a period of more than 30 days. It is also required that the time spent in captivity resulted in physical hardship, ill-treatment, or mal-treatment.
When was the last POW Medal awarded?
The last United States POW Medal was awarded to World War II Veteran Lt. Col. Van T. Barfoot in 1997 for his heroic and selfless actions in 1945. On May 23 rd, 1945, Lt. Col. Van T. Barfoot, with only one arm and a carbine rifle, single-handedly destroyed three German machine guns and conducted a bayonet charge that forced several more German soldiers to retreat.
This tremendous act of courage resulted in the rescue of three American soldiers who were held prisoner by the enemy. For his bravery and heroism, Lt. Col. Barfoot was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1945.
The last POW Medal was awarded to him by President Bill Clinton in 1997 in recognition of his service and POW status during World War II.
What happens if you become a prisoner of war?
If you become a prisoner of war, you may be subject to a variety of conditions depending on the laws of war and the rules of the captor. Generally, you can expect to be held in a designated area or camp and provided with necessary humanitarian aid.
You may also be subject to questioning by an opposing force, and you may be confined, interrogated, and deprived of certain rights. Other potential rights violations include forced labour, torture, inhumane treatment, and prohibited medical experiments.
POWs also may be used as subjects in psychological experiments, exposed to diseases, denied necessary medications, and more. Generally, POWs have the right to not provide information beyond name, rank, and serial number as well as the right to a fair trial process.
Additionally, POWs should not be mistreated, subjected to cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment, and should not be held in inhuman conditions. POWs may also be asked to take a parole, meaning the POW agrees not to take up arms against their captors in exchange for privileges.
Who is responsible for protection of prisoners of war?
According to the Third Geneva Convention, the state which detains prisoners of war (POWs) is responsible for their protection. This applies to all captured combatants, regardless of their legal status.
The Geneva Conventions guarantee POWs certain rights and protection, including the right to fair and regular adjudication, the right to food, water, shelter and medical care, protection from physical or mental abuse, and the right to contact their families.
In addition to these protections, the detaining state is responsible for ensuring that POWs are treated humanely and that their human dignity is maintained. The state is also responsible for protecting POWs from any forms of violence, intimidation or coercion, and for ensuring that they are not used as a means of propaganda or political pressure.
Finally, the detaining state is responsible for providing a neutral interpreter to POWs from non-signatory states.
What are prisoners of war eligible?
Prisoners of War (POWs) are eligible for a range of rights and protections under international law, as outlined in the Geneva Conventions and other international treaties. POWs have a right to humane treatment, which includes the provision of basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter.
They are also entitled to the preservation of their dignity and honor and not to be subjected to any form of coercion or humiliation.
The Geneva Conventions also ensure POWs have the right to practice their own religion and to receive mail, books and other material from home. Their families are also given the right to communicate with them and send them packages.
Furthermore, POWs must at all times be able to communicate with their captors, as well as any international organization that may wish to provide assistance.
POWs are entitled to certain medical and hospital care as provided for under the Geneva Conventions. This includes necessary medical treatment and the prevention of disease. Medical personnel must be available to care for POWs, and any operations or treatment must be conducted humanely and with due regard for the patient’s safety.
Finally, POWs must be allowed to leave captivity as soon as hostilities are over and must not be compelled to perform work that is inherently dangerous or contrary to the interests of their own country.
Who qualifies as a POW?
Generally speaking, a person qualifies as a Prisoner of War (POW) if they are being held against their will by an opposing side in a time of international or civil conflict. To meet the formal definition of a Prisoner of War provided by an international treaty known as the Third Geneva Convention, a POW must meet the following criteria: they must be members of the armed forces of a recognized state (army, naval or air force personnel); they must be part of a militia or volunteer corps, provided they comply with the conditions laid down in Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention; they must be commandos under special orders, bearing arms openly, if captured during a mission in hostile territory; members of organized resistance movements must also comply with the conditions laid down in Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention.
Additionally, members of the armed forces of a Party to a conflict who are placed hors de combat due to sickness, wounds or any other cause, are considered to have the same status as prisoners of war.
Do prisoners of war get released?
Yes, prisoners of war are released when the war comes to an end. The laws of war state that prisoners must be treated humanely and not abused, and must be released after the war ends. In addition, they may be released in exchange for a prisoner held by the opposing side or through a negotiation process.
When the Geneva Conventions were created in the 19th century, these basic principles of the humane treatment of prisoners of war were established. The International Red Cross assists in negotiating the terms of prisoner exchange and release.
After the release of prisoners of war, the United Nations often works with both sides to implement reintegration programs for those who were released. This helps to ensure that released prisoners can resume their lives, and will be able to make a positive contribution to their society.
What happened to POWs after the war?
At the end of World War II, the Allies released most of their Prisoners of War (POWs). This included around 3. 3 million prisoners held by the Soviet Union, 3. 2 million held by Western Allies, and around 700,000 held by Japan.
Following release, many POWs had to adjust to a new way of life. In some cases, returning home required a lengthy road, as the Allies had to transport freed POWs from distant camps. Furthermore, many POWs were afflicted psychologically by the horrors of war, or physically impaired by their months or years in captivity.
The Red Cross established a program to ease the transition for released POWs, providing medical care and basic necessities such as clothing and food.
Furthermore, as part of post-war reparations, some countries paid reparations to former POWs for their captivity. In Germany, for example, POWs were paid a monthly “captivity allowance” until 1966. In Italy, former POWs were paid the “prisoners of war indemnity” depending on their rank and time in captivity.
In addition to reparations, the Allied forces worked to ensure that their former POWs would receive proper recognition for their contribution to the war effort. Many countries erected memorials and monuments dedicated to the sacrifices made by their POWs.
In the United Kingdom, all surviving ex-POWs are eligible to receive a commemorative medal explaining their service.
Beyond physical and financial recognition, the experience of being a POW left a lasting impact on many veterans. To this day, some countries, including the United Kingdom, operate special clubs and organizations dedicated to offering spiritual and emotional support to their ex-POWs.
What does the Bible say about releasing prisoners?
The Bible offers several passages that address the issue of releasing prisoners. In Deuteronomy 15:12-15, Moses states that prisoners should not be held indefinitely, but that their debt must be released in the seventh year.
This passage is repeated in Exodus 21:2.
In Isaiah 61:1, the prophet Isaiah speaks of the Lord’s Spirit being released to those who are in prison. This is taken as a metaphor for prisoners being freed and liberated.
In Nehemiah 5:5-7, Nehemiah pleads with the people to release their fellow Israelites from slavery, stating that they had become enslaved through debt and that it was wrong to keep them as prisoners.
Finally, in Matthew 5:25-26, Jesus says that if a person has something that belongs to their neighbor, they should return it so that it may not lead to a court battle. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for freeing prisoners, as it implies that if we pay a debt or release an obligation, then it would not lead to a court battle and imprisonment.
Does the Geneva Convention apply to children?
Yes, the Geneva Convention does apply to children. Article 77 of the Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 states that “The civilian population as such, as well as individual civilians, shall not be the object of attack.
” This includes all children, whether they are with the armed forces or not.
Additional Protocol I, along with the other Geneva Conventions of 1949, outline the rules of war that all signatories must abide by. These rules strive to protect civilians, including children, and limit the use of violence and weapons in armed conflict.
These protocols prohibit the targeting of innocents, the mistreatment of prisoners of war, and the use of torture in any circumstance.
The Geneva Conventions and their Protocols also established stringent guidelines on the age of children who may be recruited into armed forces. The minimum age for recruitment is 15 and there is a total ban on the recruitment of children under 15.
All children who are actively participating in armed forces are entitled to special protection, and those taken as prisoners of war must be treated humanely and released as soon as possible.
Overall, the Geneva Convention applies to all people regardless of age, although there are additional protections in place to ensure that children are not exploited in armed conflicts.
What is the minimum age for Geneva Convention?
The minimum age for the Geneva Convention is fifteen years of age. The Geneva Convention is an international treaty that outlines the rights and protections for individuals that are not fighting in a war.
Specifically, Protocol 1 of the Geneva Conventions states that persons over the age of fifteen are considered to be “Children and adolescents not taking a direct part in hostilities” and thus are protected from harm during a conflict.
They are also protected from being forcibly recruited into the military or other organized armed forces. As such, the Convention provides specific protections for individuals aged fifteen and over, such as not allowing them to be killed, tortured, or subject to inhumane treatment.
Additionally, it prohibits their forced recruitment into the armed forces and governs their rights as prisoners of war. In short, the minimum age for the Geneva Convention is fifteen years of age.
How are children protected under Geneva Convention?
Under the Geneva Conventions, all children, regardless of their status as a refugee or not, are given certain protections by international law. This includes protections from violence, discrimination, exploitation and abuse.
The Geneva Conventions contain a number of provisions for protecting the rights of children in times of conflict, some of which include:
• Blinding laser weapons, anti-personnel mines and certain incendiary devices are prohibited.
• Children under 15 years age should not be recruited or used in hostilities by any means.
• All parties of a conflict are prohibited from attacking students in educational establishments, hospitals and places of worship.
• A party to the conflict should take necessary steps to ensure the protection, health and well-being of children affected by it or coming in contact with it.
• Children should be given access to appropriate education and other recreational activities.
• Detained children must be treated humanely and with respect for their dignity.
• They should be provided with special needs such as medical care, food, clothing and appropriate medical attention and should be treated in a manner that takes into consideration their age and gender.
• Detained children should have access to legal aid and should be able to contact their families.
• The repatriation of detained children must be carried out in the spirit of humanity and compassion.
• Children orphaned, separated or unaccompanied by their parents or guardians in times of conflict should be provided with special care.
• Parties to the conflict should take all necessary steps to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence and exploitation.
These are just some of the ways in which the Geneva Conventions protect children in times of conflict. It is important to remember that international humanitarian law was created to ensure protection of the rights of all persons in times of conflict, including children.
