Prisoners of War in Contemporary Conflict

Book excerpt: "The International Committee of the Red Cross' release of its 2020 Commentary on the 1949 Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, which updated the existing 1960 "Pictet Commentary," drew global attention to the international humanitarian law governing prisoners of war POWs. This book contributes to the dialogue with a collection of capita selecta identified by the contributors as meriting examination. Part I examines qualification for POW status from two angles. Four contributions deal with types and domains of warfare - proxy, fluid, maritime, and space. The remaining three take on issues regarding the status of detainees set forth in Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention, specifically combatants, civilians accompanying the force, and members of a levée en masse. Part II discusses the treatment to which POWs are entitled. Topics range from a broad survey of key issues regarding POW treatment in contemporary conflicts to narrow topics that have created confusion or proven challenging in practice. The book concludes with Part III's consideration of the historical relevance of, and perspectives on, the international law governing POWs"--