Guidance on the Detention of Prisoners of War and Military Prisoners by the People’s Defence Organizations
Guidance on the Detention of Prisoners of War and Military Prisoners by the People’s Defence Organizations
1. The Ministry of Defence under the National Unity Government has been actively striving for the people’s defensive war hand in hand with the people, revolutionary forces and the People’s Defence Forces (PDFs). While doing so, People’s Defence Organizations are greatly required to follow and abide by the international rules, ethics and norms provided in the Geneva Convention unwaveringly.
2. Therefore, “Guidance on the Detention of Prisoners of War and Military Prisoners by the People’s Defence Organizations” for the PDF and the People’s Defence Organizations under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence is hereby issued accordingly.
3. With regards to terms “Prisoners of War and Military Prisoners”, they refer to and include the following prisoners who got arrested alive, injured and surrendered during the revolution period:-
(a) Members of the Land, Navy and Air Forces working under the terrorist so-called State Administration Council (SAC) and other specifically assigned forces,
(b) Polices forces functioning under the orders of the terrorist SAC and other specifically assigned forces,
(c) Forces of the Army functioning under the orders of the terrorist SAC and Pro-military Group Pyu Saw Htee
4. When referring to the terms “Prisoners of War and Military Prisoners”, they shall exclude forces of the army, police and security members who side with the people based on their consent.
5. At the same time, People’s Defence Organizations should follow the rules stated underneath regarding the treatment of Prisoners of War and Military Prisoners; applied as “Subjects” from this point forward:-
(a) Treat the “Subjects” in a humane manner, provide sufficient food and health care,
(b) Shall detain the “Subjects” in temporary camps safe from conflicts and wars and transfer them to relevant war zones. (In the case of moving the temporary camps due to the battle situation, authorities shall make necessary arrangements to take along the “Subjects”.),
(c) Must avoid physical and mental abuse, and sexual violence and other threats against the “Subjects”,
(d) Initial investigation can be conducted by an authority and shall make timely report backs for positional supervisions by level.
(e) Shall bury those “Subjects” properly who passed away from the wounds, diseases or other unexpected factors,
(f) Must keep and record the personal belongings of the “Subjects” systematically,
(g) Shall compile the personal information of the ‘Subjects” and submit to the Ministry of Defence accordingly in order to contact and report to the ICRC,
(h) Shall transfer those suspected for committing war crimes and relevant authorities for making orders of the crimes to the War Crime Investigation Bureau (Committee) assigned by the Ministry of Defence,
(i) On the occasion of ending wars and conflicts, must release the “Subjects” after investigation.
Secretary
People’s Defence Organizations Coordination Central Committee
No. Pa Ka Pha (Central)/001(Guidance)- 03/ Ka Ka Na- 2021
