Combatants not enjoying the legal status of prisoners of war

Abstract EN

International Humanitarian Law is a branch of general International Law in times of armed conflict; It aims to protect.

human beings and to preserve their integrity and dignity, whether they are combatants, captives or civilians Thus, many groups protected by this law, including legitimate combatants, are a legitimate target at risk of murder, injury and family, and if one falls into the hands of the enemy, he becomes captive and enjoys the protection of prisoners of war.

On the other hand, there are people who, despite their participation in military operations, are not protected because of the special nature of their fighting.

Therefore, they are excluded from the legal system of the fighter and consequently from the legal status of the prisoners of war.

Thus the legal status of prisoners of war, which Includes spies because they secretly collect and transmit confidential information to their hostile party, mercenaries as they fight for personal gain, and traitors who break the bond of their loyalty to their homeland and nation for the enemy.

Through out this research, I shall clarify what is meant by the prisoner of war, and identify the groups of fighters who are not.

benefiting from the legal status of prisoners of war