Imperial Formations Treaty

The Imperial Formations Treaty

The Treatise on Prisoners of War and Crimes of War in the Formation and Preservation of National and Imperial Holdings
Type	Multilateral Treaty
Signed	4 October 1725
Location	Nordipolica, Layfet
Effective	1 January 1726
Parties	Template:Country data Layfet Rhodevus Ripuaria Capsland Lindenholt Romaikos
Languages	French English

The Imperial Formations Treaty on Prisoners of War and Crimes of War held on 4 October, 1725 is a set of treatises which work to establish the basic rules of warfare for combatants. It came as a response to the the devastating Six Years' War (1717-1723). It defines "the basis on which rest the rules of international law for the protection of the victims of armed conflicts." After the first treaty was adopted in 1726, it was significantly revised in 1847, 1926, and finally 1950. It is inextricably linked to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is the enforcer of the articles in these conventions. It is set to be reviewed again in 2020.

History

Layfet was briefly not a party to the agreement between 1950 to 1964, due to the Layfetian Civil War as the Layfetian Government in Exile did not sign the 1950s revision. Once the government was restored in 1964, it signed and ratified the treaty.

Summary of Provisions

The original articles of the treatise defines three classifications of opposing force. A Direct Enemy which incorporates opposing nations which have had a declaration of war presented to them directly. An Indirect Enemy which incorporates allies of the Direct Enemy, whom there is no official declaration of war. And finally an Allied Enemy which includes nations which are allied to both sides, but have chosen to involve themselves on a single side.

The 1725 treaty lists four basic responsibilities when handling prisoners of war for each classification. Similarly, the classification of war crimes diverge for each classification. The 1847 treaty incorporated all war crimes to hold true for all classifications.

Prisoners from Direct Enemy

• Prisoners must be given minimum 2 meals a day, consisting of at least 1 portion of meat, fruit and vegetables
• Prisoners may be ransomed, but if ransom has been given, the prisoner is safe from any harm until the time that he/she reenters combat
• Prisoners may be held in prison for up to one year after the war has concluded and a treaty of peace has been signed. After such a time, he will be released back to his nation of choice
• Prisoners are only allowed to work in labour camps for a period of no more than 10 hours a day and must have two days off per week

Prisoners from Indirect Enemy

• Prisoners must be given 3 meals a day, consisting of at least 1 portion of meat, fruit and vegetables
• Prisoners are only allowed to work in labour camps for a period of no more than 10 hours a day and must have two days off per week
• Prisoners may be ransomed, but if ransom has been accepted, the prisoner is safe from any harm until such a time that he reenters combat
• Prisoners can be held in prison for up to six months after the war has ended. After such a time, he will be released back to his nation of choice

Prisoners from allied Enemy

• These prisoners must be given three meals a day, consisting of at least 1 portion of meat, fruit and vegetables
• They must be given back in stable health after a maximum period of 3 months after capture
• Prisoners may be ransomed, but if ransom has been accepted, the prisoner is safe from any harm until such a time that he reenters combat
• Prisoners are only allowed to work in labour camps for a period of no more than 7 hours a day and must have two days off per week

Treaty on Crimes of War

The original 1725 treaty listed fourteen war crimes against each classification of enemy combatant. The list of war crimes in the Imperial Formations Treaty mainly focus on combatants and crimes of war between soldiers, medics, commanders and volunteer fighters.