Under the Hague Convention, individuals who follow an army, but do not directly belong to it, such as newspaper correspondents and reporters, sutlers and contractors, who fall into the enemy's hands are entitled to be treated as prisoners of war.i As such, relief societies which are properly constituted in accordance with the laws of their country may perform their humane task within the bounds imposed by military necessities and administrative regulations.ii Prisoners of war are entitled to enjoy the complete liberty in the exercise of their religion, including attendance at the services of whatever church they may belong, as long as they comply with the measure of order and police issued by the military authorities.iii It is forbidden for the military to employ poison or poisoned weapons, kill or wound treacherously anyone belonging to the hostile nation or army, kill or wound an enemy who has laid down his arms and surrendered at discretion, declare that no quarter will be given, employ arms, projectiles or material with the purpose of causing unnecessary suffering, make improper use of a flag or truce, of the national flag or of the military insignia and uniform of the enemy, as well as the distinctive badges of the Geneva Convention, destroy or seize the enemy's property unless such destruction or seizure be imperative by the necessities of war, and to declare abolished, suspended or inadmissible in a court of law the rights and actions of the nationals of the hostile part.iv Moreover, letters, money orders, valuables, and parcels by post intended for prisoners of war, or dispatched by them, shall be exempt from all postal duties in the countries of origin and destination as well as the countries they pass through.v.

             The Diplomatic Conference at Geneva from April 21 to August 12, 1949, was held for the purpose of establishing a Convention for the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.