POWs, Wounded And Killed Soldiers:

Middle East Watch is gratified that both sides in the Persian Gulf war have begun to release prisoners of war (POWs) in their custody, and that Allied countries have stated their intention not to repatriate any Iraqi POW who claims to fear persecution in Iraq. The 294 ex-POWS who reached Baghdad yesterday were repatriated according to procedures established by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which includes a private ICRC interview with each POW about his desire to return home. However, Middle East Watch remains concerned that both Iraq and the Allied countries are disregarding certain of their obligations under the Geneva Conventions. As a result, prisoners on both sides, as well as families of combatants, have been subjected to unnecessary suffering.