The Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War was signed in Geneva on 27 July 1929, in a single copy deposited in the archives of the Swiss Confederation, the authentic text being French. The diplomatic conference convened by the Swiss Federal Council opened on 1 July. Article 90: open for signature until 1 February 1930 for countries represented at the Conference. Article 91: ratifications deposited at Berne. Article 92: entry into force six months after at least two instruments — 19 June 1931. Depositary: Switzerland. LNTS volume 118. It is not Hague Convention IV of 1907, which it complements, nor the Third Geneva Convention of 1949, which replaced it, nor the same-year convention on the wounded and sick.

The preamble recognises the duty to mitigate the rigours of war and to develop the principles of the Hague Convention. Article 1: it applies to persons covered by the Regulations annexed to Hague IV who are captured, and to maritime or aerial forces, without prejudice to the Convention’s fundamental principles. Article 2: prisoners are in the power of the hostile Government, not of the capturing unit; humane treatment, and a prohibition of violence, insults, public curiosity and reprisals — a framework, without a captivity handbook.

Articles 82–83: respect in all circumstances; as between belligerents who are parties the Convention remains binding even if one belligerent is not a party; special, more favourable conventions may be concluded. Article 86: Protecting Powers, with approved delegates, as a guarantee of application. Article 88: the humanitarian work of the International Committee of the Red Cross, with the consent of the belligerents concerned. Article 89: complementary to Chapter 2 of the Hague Regulations.

Articles 93–95: accession notified to the Federal Council, taking effect after six months; a state of war gives immediate effect to ratifications and accessions by belligerents. Article 96: denunciation takes effect after one year, and does not take effect during a war in which the denouncing Power is involved, until peace and until repatriation has ended. Article 97: a certified copy to the archives of the League of Nations.

Cover: Palais Wilson in Geneva, the city’s diplomatic seat in the conference years; we do not claim the hall. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War; Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva, 27 July 1929.