LEGAL PROTECTION OF PRISONERS OF WAR: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
LEGAL PROTECTION OF PRISONERS OF WAR: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

Summary/Abstract: The status of prisoners of war and their treatment post capture has always been of interest to the humane individuals. Throughout history, there are various examples of the treatment of the captives, which largely reflected the interests of their captors. In order to prevent war crimes and crimes against humanity, which affect the position of civilians and prisoners of war, there are rules and conventions in armed conflicts. Despite the existence of these rules, history has shown that crimes against humanity (e.g., mass killings of civilians and prisoners, devastation, looting and enslavement) are a regular occurrence in armed conflicts. The paper will examine the treatment of captives throughout history. This paper will also provide an analysis of the conventions, charters and legislation of international humanitarian and international criminal law, which incriminate war crimes, crimes against humanity, and slavery, with the aim of improving the treatment of prisoners of war.

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