ICRC databases on international humanitarian law
Treaties and Documents
1949 Conventions and Additional Protocols, and their Commentaries
Historical Treaties and Documents
The Laws of War on Land. Oxford, 9 September 1880.
Part II : Application of general principles #III. Prisoners of war #B. Termination of captivity - Art. 73.
' The reasons justifying detention of the captured enemy exist only during the continuance of the war. '
Art. 73. The captivity of prisoners of war ceases, as a matter of right, at the conclusion of peace; but their liberation is then regulated by agreement between the belligerents.