Everything Everywhere Daily Prisoners of War and the Geneva Conventions
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Dec 12, 2024 Discover the crucial role of the Geneva Convention in defining ethical standards for the treatment of prisoners of war. Explore the grim history of POW treatment, from ancient brutality to the emergence of humane practices. Learn how significant milestones shaped modern protections and influenced organizations like the Red Cross. Uncover the complexities surrounding enforcement and the challenges of ensuring compliance, using historical examples such as the Vietnam War to highlight the ongoing relevance of these humanitarian principles.
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Historical Treatment of POWs
- Throughout history, the treatment of POWs has been brutal, ranging from enslavement and human sacrifice to outright slaughter.
- The concept of humane treatment is relatively recent.
Basil II, the Bulgar Slayer
- After the Battle of Cladion in 1014, Basil II blinded almost all of the 15,000 captured Bulgarian soldiers.
- This act, intended to crush Bulgarian resistance, reportedly led to Tsar Samuel's death.
Chivalry and Ransom
- The Middle Ages saw a shift with the development of chivalry, where knights were ransomed instead of executed.
- King Richard I's capture and ransom in 1192 exemplify this practice.
