text: Chapter 3
  RELIEF SOCIETIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
  3-104. Subject to the consent of the detaining power, humanitarian organizations may provide collective
  relief and assistance to, and within, POW camps. Historically, this role has been performed by the ICRC, its
  special position in this field shall be recognized and respected at all times. Access is subject to security or
  other practical considerations and the obligation to protect POWs from public curiosity (GPW arts. 9, 13).
  REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS
  3-105. POWs have the right to make requests to the military authorities of the detaining power concerning
  the conditions of their captivity. They also have the right to lodge complaints about such matters to the
  protecting power if one has been appointed, or to ICRC representatives. Such complaints may be made by
  the POW or through the prisoners’ representative. No restrictions may be placed on requests or complaints.
  Written complaints must be transmitted without delay and may not be counted against a prisoner’s quota of
  allotted letters if a quota has been established. The individual making the complaint may not be punished,
  even if the complaint is unfounded (GPW art. 78).
  LEGAL DOCUMENTS
  3-106. The detaining power must provide POWs all reasonable facilities for the preparation and execution
  of legal documents in their civil capacity, and for their transmission through the protecting power or Central
  Prisoners of War Information Agency (GPW art. 77).
  RELIEF SHIPMENTS
  3-107. POWs are allowed to receive relief shipments containing food, clothing, medical supplies, and
  articles of a religious, educational, or recreational character and materials allowing POWs to pursue their
  studies or cultural activities, free of import, customs, or other duties (GPW arts. 72, 74). Procedures for
  collective relief shipments are delineated in Annex III to the GPW. States may arrange for relief shipments
  by special agreement as long as the agreement neither restricts the prisoner representative’s right to take
  possession of relief shipments and distribute or dispose of their contents on behalf of the POWs nor restricts
  the protecting power, the ICRC, or other qualifying organization of their right to supervise shipment
  distribution (GPW art. 73).
  3-108. The only limits that may be placed on these shipments shall be those proposed by the protecting
  power in the interests of the POWs themselves, or by the ICRC or any other organization giving assistance
  to the POWs, in respect to their own shipments only, on account of the exceptional strain on transport or
  communication (GPW art. 72). Relief shipments for POWs are exempt from any postal charges or duties.
  LABOR
  3-109. Subject to the conditions outlined in Section III of the GPW, the detaining power may employ POWs
  and retained personnel (GPW art. 33, 49). Retained personnel, however, may not be employed other than for
  work related to their medical or religious duties (GPW art. 33).
  3-110. Labor assignments for physically fit POW’s must, nevertheless, take into consideration a POW’s
  age, gender, rank, and physical aptitude, with a view to maintaining POWs in a good state of physical and
  mental health. Officers may not be compelled to work. They may be permitted to work if they request to do
  so and suitable work is available. Noncommissioned officers may be employed, but only in supervisory
  positions (GPW art. 49).
  3-111. POWs may never be employed in labor that places them at risk of violence, intimidation, insults, or
  public curiosity, or that would be regarded as humiliating if performed by a member of the detaining power’s
  military force. Additionally, unless they volunteer, POWs may not be compelled to perform labor that is
  unhealthy or dangerous (GPW art. 52). They may not be compelled to take part in military operations directed
  against their own country.
  3-112. POWs may be compelled to engage in a broad range of work, to include camp administration,
  installation, and maintenance. If they volunteer, POWs may work in a broader range of jobs, to include work