ISLAMABAD -Pakistan gives an important message to India over arrested IAFPilot that he would be treated as per the military ethics and Genevaconvention over Prisoners of War.
Indian Air Force’s Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, in Pakistanicustody after his plane was shot down on Wednesday, will be governed underthe Geneva Convention of 1929.
“There is only one pilot under Pakistan Army’s custody. Wing Comd AbhiNandan is being treated as per norms of military ethics,” Pakistanimilitary spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Twitter as tensionbetween the two countries escalated.
The rules protecting prisoners of war (POWs) are specific. They were firstdetailed in the 1929 Geneva Convention and later amended in the third 1949Geneva Convention following the lessons of World War II.
According to the rules, the status of POW only applies in internationalarmed conflict. “POWs are usually members of the armed forces of one of theparties to a conflict who fall into the hands of the adverse party,” theConvention states.
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It says POWs cannot be prosecuted for taking a direct part in hostilities.“Their detention is not a form of punishment, but only aims to preventfurther participation in the conflict. They must be released andrepatriated without delay after the end of hostilities. The detaining powermay prosecute them for possible war crimes, but not for acts of violencethat are lawful under International Humantarian Law,” it says.
The rules specify that POWs must be treated humanely in all circumstances.“They are protected against any act of violence, as well as againstintimidation, insults, and public curiosity,” the Geneva Convention states.
