International standards for the protection and observance of the rights of prisoners of war

Abstract

The main international standards for the protection and observance of the rights of prisoners of war and the legal acts that regulate them were considered. It was revealed that the main international standards regulating the protection and observance of the rights of prisoners of war include: Geneva Conventions, Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, Statute of the International Committee of the Red Cross, UN Resolution on the Protection of Human Rights in Counter-Terrorism, Art. 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention against Torture and other legal acts. Within the framework of the UN, there are also a number of resolutions aimed at protecting the rights of prisoners of war. The application of international standards regarding prisoners of war forms a system of international humanitarian law. Existing international standards and national laws and policies are aimed at the safety, health and wellbeing of military personnel, as well as at preventing violations of their rights during armed conflicts. It was determined that the Geneva Conventions set the minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners of war and civilians who are in the hands of the enemy during an armed conflict. Requirements for the maintenance of prisoners of war include: requirements for food, compliance with hygiene standards, the provision of the right to receive education and many more rights for prisoners, as well as requirements for the prevention of cruel treatment, humiliation, etc. The main principles are the principles of humanity, non-discrimination and reciprocity. Court cases regarding prisoners of war are decided in the Nuremberg and Tokyo courts, and there are no other special courts for the military. Currently, a number of problems have been identified with respect to the treatment of prisoners of war. Unsolved problems require finding new ways to solve them and improve the treatment of prisoners of war in the world.