Everything Everywhere Daily: Prisoners of War and the Geneva Conventions

Podcast Information:

• Title: Everything Everywhere Daily
• Host: Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media
• Episode: Prisoners of War and the Geneva Conventions
• Release Date: December 12, 2024

Summary:

In the episode titled "Prisoners of War and the Geneva Conventions," host Gary Arndt delves into the intricate history and evolution of the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs), the establishment of the Geneva Conventions, and the ongoing challenges in upholding these international treaties. This comprehensive exploration provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of how warfare ethics have transformed over centuries and the current state of humanitarian laws in conflicts today.

1. Introduction to Prisoners of War and the Geneva Convention

Gary Arndt opens the episode by addressing a common trope in war movies where a prisoner of war invokes the Geneva Convention as a plea for humane treatment. He poses fundamental questions to unravel the complexities surrounding the Geneva Convention:

• What is the Geneva Convention?
• Why was it established?
• Who is protected under its provisions?
• How were POWs treated before its inception?
• What are the consequences when parties violate the Convention?

2. Historical Treatment of Prisoners of War

Ancient Civilizations

Arndt traces the origins of POW treatment back to ancient times, emphasizing that imprisonment was not a prevalent practice. Instead, captives were often subjected to severe punishments:

• Ancient Egypt: Captured soldiers, such as those during Pharaoh Ramesses II's reign, were frequently enslaved and utilized for forced labor on monumental projects like the Battle of Kadesh (00:05:45).
• Roman Empire: The Romans assimilated conquered peoples as slaves, with little distinction between soldiers and civilians. Leaders like Vercingetorix were paraded and executed as a spectacle (00:08:30).
• Qin Dynasty, China: Massive construction endeavors like the Great Wall relied heavily on the forced labor of POWs (00:10:15).

Medieval Era and Chivalry

The Middle Ages introduced a semblance of humane treatment for high-ranking captives:

• Chivalric Code: Knights and nobility were often held for ransom rather than killed, exemplified by King Richard I of England's capture during the Third Crusade. Arndt recounts Richard's ordeal and eventual ransom payment (00:15:50).

Early Modern Period

The Thirty Years War marked a significant shift in POW treatment:

• Treaties of Westphalia (1648): These treaties transitioned POWs from being commanders' private property to state responsibilities, establishing informal surrender rules and initial parole systems (00:20:30).

19th to Early 20th Century Developments

The atrocities of the World Wars highlighted the dire need for standardized international laws:

• World War II Violations: The brutal treatment of Soviet and German POWs, alongside the horrific conditions of the Bataan Death March, underscored the failures of existing conventions (00:25:10).

3. The Genesis and Evolution of the Geneva Conventions

Origins and Early Conventions

Arndt credits Henri Dunant's humanitarian efforts post-Battle of Solferino as the catalyst for the Geneva Conventions:

• Henri Dunant: Witnessing the carnage, Dunant spearheaded volunteer relief efforts and authored "A Memory of Solferino," advocating for the humane treatment of wounded soldiers (00:30:05).
• First Geneva Convention (1864): Established to protect wounded and sick soldiers, it laid the groundwork for future humanitarian laws (00:32:20).

Hague Conventions and Pre-WWII Agreements

The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 further solidified rules governing warfare, addressing:

• POW Treatment: Ensuring humane conditions and prohibiting certain inhumane practices.
• Weapon Restrictions: Banning the use of specific weapons like poisonous gas.
• Civilian Protection: Safeguarding non-combatants and medical personnel (00:35:45).

The 1929 Geneva Convention

This pivotal treaty specifically addressed the rights and treatment of POWs:

• Protections Included: Adequate food, shelter, medical care, prohibition of abuse, and rights to communicate with families (00:40:00).
• Enforcement Mechanisms: Required states to inform the International Committee of the Red Cross about captured individuals and permit neutral inspections of POW camps.

Post-WWII and the 1949 Geneva Conventions

In response to the widespread violations during WWII, the 1949 Geneva Conventions were established, expanding protections to:

• Four Core Conventions: Covering wounded soldiers, shipwrecked military personnel, POWs, and civilians in war zones.
• Additional Protocols: Introduced in 1977 and 2005, these protocols enhanced civilian protections and introduced new protective emblems like the Red Crystal (00:45:30).

4. Violations and Contemporary Challenges

WWII Atrocities

Gary discusses the egregious violations of the Geneva Conventions during WWII:

• Soviet POWs: Approximately 3.3 million died in German captivity due to starvation, forced labor, and executions (00:50:00).
• Japanese Treatment of Allied POWs: Events like the Bataan Death March exemplified the dire conditions and brutality inflicted on prisoners (00:52:15).

Limitations of Enforcement

A significant flaw in the Geneva Conventions is the lack of robust enforcement mechanisms:

• Post-War Trials: Accountability often arises only after a party loses a conflict, leading to tribunals like the Nuremberg Trials (00:55:40).
• Selective Adherence: Countries may exploit loopholes, claiming non-obligation to honor the conventions under certain circumstances.

Modern Issues: Terrorism and Unlawful Combatants

The rise of non-state actors and terrorism poses new challenges:

• Definition of Combatants: The Geneva Conventions differentiate between lawful combatants and terrorists, with the latter not adhering to the conventions due to their tactics targeting civilians.
• Debate on Rights: There's an ongoing debate on whether the protections should extend to unlawful combatants, with opinions split on maintaining the spirit of the treaty versus restricting courtesies to lawful actors (01:00:25).

Current Status of the Geneva Conventions

Despite being universally signed, implementation remains inconsistent:

• United States: Notably has not ratified Protocols 1 and 2, limiting the extent of protections (01:02:10).
• Universal Signatories: All nations today are signatories to the four core conventions, yet adherence varies in practice.

5. Conclusion and Reflection

Gary concludes by emphasizing the enduring relevance of the Geneva Conventions in modern warfare. While historical advancements have established essential humanitarian standards, contemporary conflicts continually test their efficacy and enforcement. The ongoing debates surrounding the treatment of unlawful combatants and the challenges posed by asymmetric warfare highlight the need for evolving international laws to uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of their role in conflicts.

Notable Quotes:

• "In ancient Egypt, captured soldiers were often enslaved, but their treatment varied depending on the ruler," Gary explains, highlighting the disparity in POW treatment across different ancient civilizations (00:06:15).

• "The Treaties of Westphalia shifted POWs from being teams of private ownership to a matter of state responsibility," Gary notes, underscoring the significance of state involvement in POW management (00:21:10).

• "Despite the Geneva Convention, there were some horrific violations," Gary acknowledges, referencing the atrocities committed during WWII (00:49:50).

• "One camp believes the spirit of the treaty should be applied in all cases, and others claim that if they are outside the scope, its courtesies should not be extended to them," he elaborates on the modern debate surrounding the treatment of unlawful combatants (01:01:30).

Production Credits:

• Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
• Associate Producers: Benji Long and Cameron Keever

Gary also extends gratitude to Patreon supporters and invites listeners to join the "Everything Everywhere Daily" community on Facebook and Discord for further discussions and engagement.

This episode serves as a thorough examination of the historical and contemporary facets of POW treatment and the Geneva Conventions, offering listeners a deep dive into the ethical and legal frameworks that govern warfare and the protection of individuals caught in its midst.