Glossary

The Geneva Conventions govern the conduct of war between states. They are an important part of international law and their provisions include humanitarian standards for the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs). During the Second World War, the Nazis ignored the provisions of the Geneva Conventions, particularly in their treatment of Soviet POWs, but also of Polish, French and Italian POWs. POWs were also often used in the production of armaments, which was forbidden by the Geneva Conventions.