1. Article 4 of the Third Convention defines the categories of persons who, being captured in an armed conflict, are entitled to be treated as Prisoners Of War. These are Inter alia members of armed forces, militia, volunteer corps, resistance movements in occupied territory under certain conditions and civilians holding military identity cards. If doubt exists about captured persons, they must be given the benefit of the doubt and initially be treated as Prisoners Of War. The most important rights to which Prisoners Of War are entitled, are -
   1. to humane and respectful treatment, to be protected from acts of violence, intimidation, outrages upon personal dignity, humiliation, public curiosity and reprisals;
   2. a Prisoner Of War must only furnish his name, rank, number and date of birth and produce his identity card/disc. No other information must be divulged;
   3. Prisoners Of War must be left in possession of their effects, equipment, badges of rank and decorations, except arms, military equipment and documents;
   4. Prisoners Of War must immediately be evacuated from the combat zone, be supplied with sufficient food and clothing and afforded medical attention, if necessary.
2. In regard to escape, a Prisoner Of War has the following rights-
   1. arms may only be used against him as an extreme measure and then only after a warning;
   2. should an escaped Prisoner Of War be recaptured he can only be dealt with summarily, he can be sentenced only to the maximum of 30 days confinement or a small fine may be imposed;
   3. the same applies when an escaped Prisoner Of War commits an offence unaccompanied by violence with the sole object of assisting him in his escape.
3. Copies of the above Geneva Conventions should be available in every Prisoner Of War camp in the language of the prisoners. In these Conventions the rights of the prisoners are clearly defined. Every Prisoner Of War NOT treated in accordance with these Conventions, has the right to complain to the camp authorities. Should he NOT receive satisfaction, he may make representation to the "Protecting Power" who is there to protect the interests of prisoners.

(taken from the SADF identification book)