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Apart from wounds and sickness, a prisoner of war, who is at the mercy of the detaining belligerent, may face humiliation and be subjected to many deprivations and hardships. Separated from their families and in the power of hostile authorities, prisoners of war often live in extremely difficult circumstances, exposed to uncertainty, anxiety, tension and maltreatment. This book explores the legal protection available to prisoners of war in an international armed conflict. It also critically evaluates the challenges in protecting prisoners of war in the future warfare where autonomous weapon systems are likely to be deployed. This book will be of interest to military and paramilitary forces, security specialists and policy makers, lawyers and academicians, and members of the civil society who have a stake in international law.

'The military plays an important role in nation-building and national security. Notwithstanding special requirements of military life, the members of the armed forces should enjoy the rights guaranteed in the Constitution and other relevant international human rights treaties which India has ratified to the extent that those rights are available to other citizens of the country. The guarantee of a fair trial should apply to all proceedings under the military legal system, including summary trial and summary systems of court martial. The government must ensure the economic, social, and cultural rights of military personnel including housing, medical care, education, free legal aid and social security. Derogations of the Fundamental Rights under Article 33 should not be carried so far as to create a class of citizens who are not entitled to the benefits of the liberal interpretation of the Constitution. This book is aimed at all those who are involved in promoting, protecting, and enforcing the rights of not only the members of the armed forces, but also the other forces engaged in the security of the country. It will of relevance to parliamentarians, government officials, military authorities and members of the civil society who have a stake in the armed forces.'

As many as fifty non-state armed groups (NSAGs) in countries such as Afghanistan, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Libya, Mali, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Thailand and Yemen are engaged in the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict. In Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen the situation continues to be perilous, with many hundreds of children recruited, used, killed and maimed. Children have been used by the NSAGs as executioners and suicide bombers. By an estimate, there are 300,000-350,000 child soldiers worldwide and the alarming trend continues to grow. According to the United Nations, there has been a fivefold increase in the number of children recruited in a few ongoing armed conflicts. This book gives an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the recruitment and use of child soldiers worldwide; and examines the (in) adequacy of international institutions and laws in protecting children. It is an invaluable resource for anyone interested or working in the field of protecting children: teachers, students, lawyers, government officials, military and police personnel, researchers and human rights activists.