Here is the relevant portion 1929 Geneva Convention concerning trial of prisoners of war.
3. JUDICIAL SUITS. ARTICLE 60.
At the opening of a judicial proceeding directed against a prisoner of war, the detaining Power shall advise the representative of the protecting Power thereof as soon as possible, and always before the date set for the opening of the trial.
This advice shall contain the. following information:
a) Civil state and rank of prisoner;
b) Place of sojourn or imprisonment;
c) Specification of the [count] or counts of the indictment, giving the legal provisions applicable.
If it is not possible to mention in that advice the court which will pass upon the matter, the date of opening the trial and the place where it will take place this information must be furnished to the representative of the protecting Power later, as soon as possible, and at all. events, at least three weeks before the opening of the trial. ARTICLE 61.
No prisoner of war may be sentenced without having had an opportunity to defend himself.
No prisoner may be obliged to admit himself guilty of the act of which he is accused. ARTICLE 62.
The prisoner of war shall be entitled to assistance by a qualified counsel of his choice, and, if necessary, to have recourse to the services of a competent interpreter. He shall be advised of his right by the detaining Power, in due time before the trial.
In default of a choice by the prisoner, the protecting Power may obtain a counsel for him. The detaining Power shall deliver to the protecting Power, on its request, a list of persons qualified to present the defense.
Representatives of the protecting Power shall be entitled to attend the trial of the case.
The only exception to this rule is the case where the trial of the case must be secret in the interest of the safety of the State. The detaining Power should so advise the protecting Power. ARTICLE 63.
Sentence may be pronounced against a prisoner of war only by the same courts and according to the same procedure as in the case of persons belonging to the armed forces of the detaining Power. ARTICLE 64.
Every prisoner of war shall have tile right of appeal against any sentence rendered with regard to him, in the same way as individuals belonging to the armed forces of the detaining Power. ARTICLE 65.
Sentences pronounced against prisoners of war shall be communicated to the protecting Power immediately. ARTICLE 66.
If the death penalty is pronounced against a prisoner of war, a communication setting forth in detail the nature and circumstances of the offense shall be sent as soon as possible to the representative of the protecting Power, for transmission to the Power in whose armies the prisoner served.
The sentence shall not be executed before the expiration of a period of at least three months after this communication. ARTICLE 67.
No prisoner of war may be deprived of the benefit of the provisions of Article 42 of the present Convention as a result of a sentence or otherwise. yale.edu |