Belgium
Practice Relating to Rule 87. Humane Treatment
Belgium’s Law of War Manual (1983) states, with reference to common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, that in internal armed conflicts, “persons who do not take a direct part in hostilities, including members of the armed forces who have laid down their arms and persons placed
hors de combat, must be treated humanely”.
Belgium’s Law of War Manual (1983) states that, in internal armed conflicts, the following must be respected: “humanitarian treatment of persons who do not take a direct part in hostilities, including members of the armed forces who have laid down their arms and persons placed
hors de combat”. It also provides: “The population in occupied territory must be treated with humanity.”
Belgium’s Law of War Manual (1983) provides:
POWs [prisoners of war] shall be treated at all times with humanity. Any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited and will be regarded as a serious breach of the [1949 Geneva Convention III]. POWs shall at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity.
Belgium’s Teaching Manual for Soldiers provides: “Prisoners of war must be treated humanely and protected.”