What international agreement provides most of the legal protection for Prisoners of War (POWs)?

The Geneva Convention is the key international agreement that provides the legal framework and protections for Prisoners of War (POWs). Established primarily through the Third Geneva Convention of 1949, it outlines the rights of POWs, the obligations of detaining powers, and the humane treatment that must be afforded to individuals captured during armed conflict.

This convention specifies that POWs must be treated humanely and prohibits any form of torture, cruel treatment, or degrading treatment. It also emphasizes their right to communicate with their families and receive medical care. The provisions within the Geneva Convention aim to uphold human dignity even in times of war, making it a critical instrument in international humanitarian law.

While other conventions, such as the Hague and Vienna Conventions, address various aspects of international law and warfare, they do not specifically focus on the legal protections for POWs to the same extent as the Geneva Convention. The Paris Agreement pertains to climate change and has no relevance to the treatment of military personnel. Therefore, the Geneva Convention stands out as the primary source for POW legal protections.