What should a prisoner of war provide when questioned, according to Article 5?

According to Article 5 of the Geneva Convention, a prisoner of war (POW) is required to provide only their name, rank, service number, and date of birth when questioned. This principle is central to the treatment of POWs, ensuring that they are afforded protection and rights under international humanitarian law. The rationale behind this limitation is to balance the need for information with the humane treatment of captured soldiers, preventing their mistreatment or coercion to divulge sensitive military information.

By restricting the information that a POW must provide, the Geneva Convention aims to uphold dignity and minimize the risk to military operations, ensuring that captured individuals are not compelled to share tactical or strategic information that could endanger their comrades or compromise military missions. Thus, the correct answer highlights the legal and ethical framework that protects the rights of POWs while maintaining discipline and responsibility during conflict situations.