Unclassified

LAW OF WAR

Unclassified
1
 Terminal Learning
Objective
Action: Identify what actions are legal and
what actions are illegal as they relate to the
treatment of captured personnel.

Condition: Given FM 27-10, Quick

Reference
to Geneva Convention, and the student
handout.

Standards: IAW FM 27-10 to within 70%

accuracy. 2
 Safety Requirements
NONE

Risk Assessment Level

IV E-LOW

Environment
Considerations
NONE

Evaluation
Student Checks
Testable Block of Instruction
Performance
3
 Procedure
➣Sources of Law

➣Initial Handling Captured Personnel

➣Treatment of Captured Personnel

➣Status of Captured Personnel

➣Preventing War Crimes

4
 Sources of Law
➣Customary Laws, 1625 Book
➣International Treaties
●Hague Conventions, 1907
●Geneva Conventions, 1949
➣FM 27-10, Law of Land Warfare
➣Rules of Engagement
➣UCMJ
5
 Initial Handling of
Captured Personnel
➣ Handling of Surrendering Personnel?
● The 5 S’s
Search, Silence, Segregate Safeguard, & Speed to the Rear
➣ Evacuation of Captives (GPW, Art. 19; FM 27-10, para. 95)
➣ Timely Evacuation, ASAP
➣ Delayed Evacuation
➣ Protection / Humane Treatment
➣ POW Camps (GPW, Art. 23; FM 27-10, para. 99)
➣ Security of POWs
➣ Markings of POW Camps
➣ Notification of Location of POW Camps

6
 Humane Treatment
(GPW, Art. 13, 20, 27; FM 27-10, para. 88 - 96, 266)

➣Everyone is Entitled
➣No Degrading or Humiliating Treatment
➣Protected From Violence & Intimidation
➣Shielded From Insults & Public Curiosity
➣Given Respect for Their Persons & Honors
➣No Reprisals Allowed

7
 Torture and Coercion
(GPS, Art. 13,; GPW, Art. 13, 17; GC, Art. 31, 32;
FM 24-10, para. 93; FM 34-52, p. 1-8)
➣POWs “may NOT be threatened, insulted, or
exposed to disadvantageous treatment of
ANY kind.”
➣Torture?
➣“The infliction of intense pain to body or mind to
extract a confession or information, or for sadistic
pleasure.” “Free Will”
➣Coercion?
➣“Actions designed to unlawfully induce another to
commit an act against one’s will.”
8
 Physical Torture
(FM 34-52, p. 1-8)
➣Electric Shock
➣Pain Through Chemicals
➣Pain Through Bondage
➣Legitimate Use of Restraints to Prevent Escapes
➣Forced to Stand, Sit, or Kneel in Abnormal
Positions for Prolonged Periods of Time
➣Food Deprivation
➣Any Form of Beating
9
 Mental Torture
(FM 34-52, p. 1-8)

➣Mock Executions

➣Abnormal Sleep Deprivations

➣Chemically Induced Psychosis

10
 Coercion
(FM 34-52, p. 1-8)
➣Threatening or Implying Physical or Mental
Torture to the Subject, His Family, or Others
to Whom He Owes Loyalty.
➣Intentionally Denying Medical Assistance or
Care in Exchange for Information Sought or
Other Cooperation.
➣Threatening or Implying that Other Rights
Guaranteed by the Geneva Conventions Will
NOT be Provided Unless Cooperation is
Forthcoming. 11
 Equal Treatment
(GPW, Art. 16; FM 27-10, para 92)

➣Required Regardless of Race, Religious

Beliefs, Nationality, Political Opinions, or
Other Distinctions Based on Similar Criteria.
➣May Be Segregated in Order to Maintain
Order in the Camp, to Impose Punishment,
for Medical Reasons or Protection.
➣Women must have separate facilities and be
treated as favorably as men.
12
Questions?

13
 Status of Captured
Personnel

➣Retained Personnel

➣Protected Personnel

➣Prisoners of War (POWs)

14
 Retained Personnel Status
(GPW, Art. 33; FM 27-10, para. 67, 68)
➣Medical Personnel (GPS, Art. 24; FM 27-10, para. 67, 68)
➣Must Provide Medical Support Exclusively
➣Includes Admin. Staff at Medical Unit
➣NOT Medics, Combat Lifesavers, etc.
(GPS, Art. 25, 29; FM 27-10, para. 68)

➣Religious Personnel (GPS, Art. 24; FM 27-10, para. 112)

➣Chaplains (GPS, Art. 24)
➣NOT “NON-Chaplain” Ministers of Religion
(GPS, Art. 36)

➣Volunteer Aid Society Workers (GPS,

Art. 26; FM 27-10, para. 69)
15
 Retained Personnel Rights
(FM 27-10, para. 67 - 69, 230 - 232)

➣MUST Receive AT LEAST Same Benefits as

POWs
➣May ONLY Be Required to Perform Religious
or Medical Duties
➣May ONLY Be Retained as long as Required
by Health & Spiritual Needs of POWs
➣MUST Be Returned to Home Country When No
Longer Needed

16
 Protected Persons Status
(GC, Art. 4, 5; FM 27-10, para. 247, 248)
➣Includes Civilian NON-Combatants & Unlawful
Combatants in the Hands of a “Foreign Party”
to the Conflict or Occupying Power.
➣All Persons Who do NOT Qualify for POW
Status who have Engaged in Hostile or
Belligerent Conduct.
➣If Unsure About a Captive’s Status?
➣ Treat captive as a POW until Article 5 Tribunal
determines otherwise. (GPW, Art. 5; FM 27-10, para. 71)

17
 Protected Persons’ Rights
(cont.)
(FM 27-10, para. 266, 267, 270 - 273)

➣Humane Treatment (GPW,

Art. 13, 20, 27; FM 27-10, para. 88 - 96, 266)
➣Equal Treatment (GPW,
Art. 16; FM 27-10, para. 92)
➣Protect Women From Attacks on Their Honor.
(Includes Protection From Rape,
Forced Prostitution, & Indecent Assault)

18
 Protected Persons’ Rights (cont.)
(FM 27-10, para. 266, 267, 270 - 273)

➣Protection From:
➣Being Taken Hostage.
➣Being Used as Human Shields to Render Certain
Areas Immune From Military Operations.
➣Physical or Moral Coercion.
➣Murder, Torture, Corporal Punishment, Mutilation,
Medical Experiments, & ANY Other Forms of
Brutality.
➣Collective Penalties, Pillage, Reprisals,
Intimidation, & Terrorism
19
 Limitations on
Protected Persons’ Rights
(FM 27-10, para. 266, 267, 270 - 273)

➣Limited Rights to Leave

➣No Immunity From Prosecution

➣Can Be Screened & Identified for

Intelligence Purposes

20
Questions?

21
 Prisoner of War Initial Handling
➣Identification Information (GPW. Art. 17; FM 27-10, para. 93)
➣Required Information?
➣Name, Rank, Service Number, DOB
➣w/o Liable for Restriction of Privileges
➣Identification Cards
➣Do NOT question?
➣Physically and/or Mentally Incapacitated
(FM 27-10, para. 93)
➣MUST be Cleared by Competent Medical Personnel
➣Question POW in Language He Understands
(FM 27-10, para. 93)
22
 POW Categories
(FM 27-10, para. 136)
➣Category I - Below Sergeant
➣Category II - All NCOs
➣Category III - Warrant and
Commissioned Officers below Major
(Company Grade Officers)
➣Category IV - Major through Colonel
(Field Grade Officers)
➣Category V - General Officers

23
 POW STATUS
(GPW, Art. 4; FM 27-10, para. 61 - 66, 68, 70)

➣Regular Armed Forces Members

➣Irregular Armed Forces,Other Militias, or Volunteer Corps

➣Commander Responsible for Subordinates
➣Fixed Distinctive Sign/Insignia Recognizable at a Distance
➣Carry Arms Openly
➣Conduct Operations in Accordance with the Law of War

24
 POW STATUS (cont.)
(GPW, Art. 4; FM 27-10, para. 61-66, 68, 70)

➣ Armed Forces NOT Recognized by a Detaining Power

➣ Civilians With an Armed Force (ID Card)
➣ Merchant Marine/Civil Aircraft Crew Members (Min.)
➣ Levee en Masse (GPW, Art. 4; FM 27-10, para. 61, 65)
➣ Armed Forces (Present & Past) of Occupied Country
➣ Lawful Combatants in the Hands of a Neutral Party

25
 NON-POW Status
➣Armed forces members who deliberately
conceal themselves to pass behind enemy
lines to gain military information or to wage
war?
➣Disguise, Retained Person Status
➣To Be Disguised as an Enemy Soldier & Shoot
at Enemy Targets is ILLEGAL.
➣Article 5 Tribunal (GPW, Art. 5; FM 27-10, para. 71)
➣Used to Determine Status
26
NON-POW Status (cont.)

➣Spies (HR, Art. 29; FM 27-10, para. 75)

➣Hague Convention (Annex IV)
➣Clandestine
➣False Pretense
➣Intention of Communicate
➣UCMJ, Article 106
➣w/i U.S. Control / Jurisdiction

27
 POW Rights
➣ POWs MAY NOT Renounce Rights or Status
(GPW, Art. 7; FM 27-10, para. 87)
➣ Protection / Humane Treatment
(GPW, Art. 13, 20, 27; FM 27-10. para. 88 - 96, 266)
➣ Special Considerations for Women
➣Minimally as Equal Treatment to Men
(GPW, Art. 14; FM 27-10. para. 90)
➣Separate Dormitories (GPW, Art. 25)
➣Separate Latrines & Bathing Facilities (GPW, Art. 29)

28
 Other POW Rights
➣ Respect & Honor (GPW, Art. 14; FM 27-10. para. 90)
➣ Property (GPW, Art. 18; FM 27-10, para. 94)
➣ Quarters (GPW, Art. 25; FM 27-10, para. 101)
➣ Rations (GPW, Art. 26; FM 27-10, para. 102)
➣ Clothing (GPW, Art. 27; FM 27-10, para. 103)
➣ Hygiene, Sanitation, and Medical Attention
(GPW, Art. 15, 29, 30; FM 27-10, para. 91,106 -
108)
➣ Human Evacuation (GPW, Art. 20; FM 27-10, para. 96)
➣ Protective Equipment (GPW, Art. 18; FM 27-10, para. 94)
➣ Killing of Prisoners (FM 27-10, para. 85)
29
 Other POW Rights (cont.)
➣Religion & Faith (FM 27-10, para. 110 - 113)
➣Sending & Receiving Mail
(GPW, Art. 71, FM 27-10, para. 147, 150, & 152)
➣ 2 Letters & 4 Postcards Monthly (Minimum)
➣ Postage Free

➣Relief Packages (GPW, Art. 72; FM 27-10, para. 148 - 149)

➣Identity Documents (FM 27-10, para. 148)
➣Educational, Religious, or Recreational Materials
(FM 27-10, para. 112 - 114)
➣Access to Prisoner Representative
(FM 27-10, para. 154 - 157)

30
Questions?

31
 POW Responsibilities
➣Must Follow ALL Camp Rules
(FM 27-10, para. 117)
➣Rules MUST BE Posted in Camp
(In POW’s language)
➣Each POW MUST BE Given a Copy of Rules
(In POW’s language)
➣POWs are Subject to the Same Laws,
Regulations, Orders, & Penalties as Detaining
Power’s Forces (FM 27-10, para. 158, 163)
➣Detailed Punishments (FM 27-10, para. 158 - 184)
32
 POW Labor
(GPW, Art. 50; FM 27-10, para. 125 -129)

➣May Utilize Physically Fit POWs for Labor

(MUST take into account Age, Sex, Rank, & Physical
Aptitude)
➣OFFICERs?
➣May NOT be required to work
➣NCOs?
➣May ONLY Be Required to Supervise
➣JUNIOR ENLISTED?
➣May Be Required to Work 33
 POW Labor Duration
(GPW, Art. 53; FM 27-10, para. 129)

➣General, NOT Excessive

➣Lunch Hour
➣Day of Rest
➣8 Days Annual Vacation

34
 POW Working Conditions
(FM 27-10, para. 125 - 144)

➣ May NOT use POW Labor to Support Detaining

Power’s War Effort
➣ MUST include Suitable Accommodations,
Food, Clothing, and Equipment.
➣ May NOT be Inferior to Working Conditions of
Detaining Power’s Nationals Performing the
Same Work.
➣ No Dangerous or Humiliating Labor.

35
 POW Wages
➣Pay for Labor (GPW, Art. 62; FM 27-10, para. 138)
➣1/4 of One Swiss Franc per Full Work Day
➣Mar “2000” = $0.15
➣Monthly Advance (GPW, Art. 60; FM 27-10, para. 136)
➣Category I - Below Sergeant = 8 Swiss Francs
➣Category II - All NCOs = 12 Swiss Francs
➣Category III - Warrant & Commissioned Officers below Major
(Company Grade Officers) = 50 Swiss Francs
➣Category IV - Major through Colonel
(Field Grade Officers) = 60 Swiss Francs
➣Category V - General Officers = 75 Swiss Francs
36
 Escape
➣Successful Escape (GPW, 91)
➣Rejoins His or Ally’s Forces
➣Leaves Detaining Power’s or Detaining
Power’s Ally’s Territory
➣Entering Neutral County?
➣Still Held as POW by Neutral Country
➣Unsuccessful Escape
(GPW, 92 - 94; FM 27-10, para. 169)
➣Disciplinary Punishment for Escape
➣Judicial Punishment for Violence to Life or
Limb or Unjust Enrichment
37
 Preventing Escape
➣MUST Use Least Extreme Means
➣Yelling Halt
➣Recapturing
➣Use of Weapons (FM 27-10, para. 118)
➣Considered to be an Extreme Measure
➣MUST Warn Before Using Weapons
➣Aim to Disable and NOT to Kill
➣Aiders and Abettors receive only
disciplinary punishment for helping
38
Preventing War
Crimes

39
 War Crimes
➣ANY Violation of the Law of War Committed by
ANY Person During an Armed Conflict
(GC, Art. 146; GPW, Art. 129;
GPS, Art. 49; FM 27-10, para. 498, 499)

➣Two Types of War Crimes

➣Grave Breaches?
(GC, Art. 147; GPW, Art. 130; GPS, Art. 50; FM 27-10, para. 502)
➣Includes Torture, Willfully Depriving a Person of a Trial
➣Simple Breaches? (FM 27-10, para. 504)
➣Includes Forcing a POW to Perform Prohibited Labor
40
 Nation’s Obligation to
Suppress War Crimes
(GPS, Art. 49; GPW, Art. 129, GC, Art. 146; FM 27-10, para. 506, 507)

➣All Nations MUST Suppress War Crimes

➣Obligation Facilitated by:
➣Universal Jurisdiction Over All War Criminals
➣No Statute of Limitations on War Crimes
➣Grave Breaches - MUST Prosecute or
Extradite to a Country Who Will Prosecute
➣Simple Breaches - MUST Take Steps to
Prevent Recurrence
41
 Commanders’ Duties &
Responsibilities
➣CDRs Can Be Criminally Liable for War
Crimes If They:
➣Ordered the War Crime,
➣Knew About the War Crime BUT
Did Nothing to Stop it, or
➣The CDR Should Have Known of the
Crime and Did NOT Act to Stop it.
➣Commanders Also Have a Duty to
Investigate War Crimes Promptly
42
 Soldier’s Duties and
Responsibilities
➣ Watch for Evidence of Prior Abuse
➣ Document & Report any Suspicions of Prior Abuse
➣ You MUST Report Violations & Suspected Violations
of Laws of War as Serious Incidents.
➣ Responsible for Own Acts or Omissions which
Violate Law of War
➣ Must NOT Obey Unlawful Orders
➣ If Soldier Receives Unlawful Order, Soldier Should
Try to Prevent the Order From Being Carried Out

43
 Dealing With Illegal Orders
➣Clarify Unclear Orders
➣If the Order is Illegal,
The Soldier MUST State So
➣Use Moral Arguments
➣Threaten to Report the Act
➣Ask the Senior Soldier to Stop the Act
➣Refuse to Obey the Order
➣If the Order is NOT Withdrawn, or
the Act IS Committed, Report Incident or
Order 44
 Duty to Report War Crimes

➣MUST Report All Observed & Suspected

War Crimes as Serious Incidents (AR 190-40)
➣Report to Chain of Command
➣Chain of Command is Implicated?
➣Report to JAG, IG, Chaplain, or Provost Marshal

45
 Reasons for Reporting
War Crimes
➣Enemy War Crimes Can Be the Basis
for Legitimate Reprisals.
➣Publishing Enemy War Crimes Can Be
Used to Influence Public Opinion,
Including Soldier’s, Against the Enemy.
➣Reporting Allied War Crimes Helps us
follow Geneva Convention Rules on
Transferring Captives

46
 HUMINT Collectors
Must NOT:
➣Impersonate Chaplains, Medical Personnel, or
Volunteer Aid Society Personnel
(e.g., Red Cross Personnel)
➣Interrogate an injured or ill POW UNTIL
Receiving a Medical Release Specifically for
Questioning
➣Delay Evacuation of a POW in a Danger Zone
for the Purposes of Interrogation
47
 HUMINT Collectors
MUST:
➣Report Suspected War Crimes Encountered
during the Course of Their Duties
➣Conduct Yourself in a Professional Manner
When Dealing with POWs, Taking into
Consideration the Rank & Status of the POW
➣Ensure Your Security & That of the POW

48
Questions?

49
 Summary
➣Sources of Law.
➣Captured Personnel Initial Handling.
➣Define POWs, Retained Personnel, &
Protected Persons.
➣Treatment of POWs.
➣Treatment of Retained Personnel.
➣Treatment of Protected Persons.
➣Preventing War Crimes.
50
Law of War
Examinatio
n
51