Prisoner of War (POW)

A Prisoner of War (POW) is a person captured and held by an enemy during an armed conflict. Typically, POWs are members of the armed forces or combatants who surrender or are otherwise taken prisoner during wartime. International laws, such as the Geneva Conventions, establish standards to ensure their humane treatment, including adequate food, shelter, and medical care, and protections from torture or coerced labor. The goal is to respect their dignity and rights while they are detained, often with the hope that they will eventually be released or exchanged.