‘Abiding by the conventions [on the treatment of prisoners of war’ is desirable if for no other reason than to protect one’s nationals who are the others’ prisoners. [Mistreatment] can also result in war crimes accusations later when the conflict has ended. So, at least for reasons of reciprocity and fear of punitive consequences states may comply with these international standards.’ (Sawicki 2015).

Prisoners of war are protected under International Law and must not be harmed. The enemy might deliberately try to manipulate us into breaching these laws and violate common decency and morality. One of the reasons we fight is to uphold these laws and standards of decency, and to descend to the same level as the enemy would undermine the reasons behind the war.

'Dealign with prisoners of war is a military requirement ad the cost in terms of resources - including manpower and equipment - must be included in the commander's planning for operations.' (McEvoy 2011)

John Sawicki, CSSP, ‘Treatment of Prisoners and Detainees’ in James Turner Johnson and Eric D. Patterson (eds.), The Ashgate Research Companion to Military Ethics, (Ashgate, Farnham, 2015), p271.

Philip McEvoy, ‘Law at the Operational Level’ in David Whetham (ed.), Ethics, Law and Military Operations, (Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2011), pp124-125.