Hello LWD,LWD wrote:Hecht,
You may be able to answer your question by looking around this site:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/lawwar.asp
It has the international agreements with dates associated. However some interpretation may be required.
Thanks for the link, I know it already, I've got little knowledge about the subject but I've already read the most important sources about the matter, the Hostage Case included.
As you say, some interpretation may be required, and this is actually the point I was trying to make.
There's a very thin line between an escaped POW without documents or armed refusing to answer the questions and a plounder\pillager or simply a civilian with no documents, no insignas of Militias and armed or shooting at the regular soldier.
I mean, it's very difficult to understand who the guy is; of course, you can say "handle him to the MP", but this wouldn't be so easy for example during harsh no quarters clashes.
My interpretation is that if you are were not able to fullfill Geneva requirements in order to be covered as a regular soldier\POW, you could well expect to be executed on the spot with no trial, but again, I may be very well wrong.
Spies, deserteres, militiamen had to be tried before execution, but what about civilians in arms and I mean no commanders-no insignas-concealed weapons?
Wasn't this the reason why Geneva was updated in 1948, in order to cover even guerrilas fighters without insignas?
I have also another question; where there any specific requirements for the trial? I mean, in terms of time, locations, etc.etc.?
Many thanks to everybody for keeping this civil!