This DOD memo gives information on Geneva Convention provisions and Secretary of Defense press guidance regarding photography and filming of Enemy Prisoners of War.
UNCLASSIFIED
•
DRAFT
23 March 2003
• INFORMATION PAPER
Subject PHOTOGRAPHING AND FILMING EPWS
1.
Purpose. To provide information on Geneva Convention provisions andSecDef press guidance regarding photography and filming of EPWs.
2.
Key Points.
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Article 13 of the Geneva Convention provides that 'prisoners of warmust at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence orintimidation and against insults and public curiosity.'
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Article 13 does not per se prohibit photographing EPWs. It does prohibitphotography and video imagery that degrades or humiliates an EPW,such as the practices of North Vietnam during the Vietnam conflict andIraq during the 1991 Gulf War in parading EPWs before the news media.
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DoD press guidance (Tab A) to embedded media units prohibits:
- *photographs or other visual media showing an enemy prisoner ofwar or detainee's recognizable face, namctag or other identifyingfeature or item' (Tab A,14.0.18); and
-'still or video imagery of custody operations or interviews withpersons under custody' (Tab A, 14.0.19).
• In addition to the provisions of GC Art. 13, a principal USG concernunderlying the prohibition of photography and filming is the security ofthe EPW and the protection of the EPW's family. If Iraqi authoritiesbecome aware that specific individuals are captured, it could pose a•risk to the safety and security of the EPW's family.
Prepared by:
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FOIAXpessAnnafilise•
DOD JUNE 2311
DOD056129