On 12 August 1949, in Geneva, the Third Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War is adopted — the instrument updating and replacing the 1929 Prisoners of War Convention.

The Convention details detention conditions, labour, correspondence, release and repatriation of prisoners, and bans torture and degrading treatment.

Signed the same day as the other three 1949 Geneva Conventions, it responds to Second World War abuses and remains a pillar of humanitarian law.

Entry into force: 21 October 1950. It is among the most universally ratified treaties.

For the law of armed conflict, 12 August 1949 marks adoption of the Third Geneva Convention.

The official text is on the ICRC site / IHL databases.

The Third Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 remains the standard for the treatment of prisoners of war.

Image: Geneva / ICRC; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Third Geneva Convention. Treaty text: Third Geneva Convention (ICRC).