The Activities of Community Organizations in Providing Assistance to Prisoners of World War I

• Main Authors: Gulzhaukhar K. Kokebayeva, Ryskeldy S. Myrzabekova, Moldakhmet S. Myrzabekov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sochi State University 2016-12-01
• Series: Bylye Gody
• Subjects: International Committee of the Red Cross; prisoners of war; World War I; the Hague Convention; the Allies; the Central Powers
• Online Access: http://bg.sutr.ru/journals_n/1480335424.pdf

The main purpose of this article is to examine the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross and other community organizations in providing assistance to prisoners of the World War I. According to Article 15 of the Hague Convention of 1907, organizations that assist the prisoners of war, as well as their representatives can use all the benefits from the authorities of the warring countries. Representatives of these organizations are allowed to distribute benefits to places of detention of POWs, provided that a nominal permit is issued by the military authorities. During the World War I, the community organizations played a significant role in providing material and moral support to prisoners of war of belligerent countries. The role of the Red Cross in the protection of war victims and providing assistance to the POWs during the World War I is undeniable, international and national organizations interacted as natural mediators and influenced their own governments, in order to further alleviate the plight of the prisoners of war.