The Geneva Conventions
The Geneva Conventions are a set of international treaties that form the core of international humanitarian law (IHL), also known as the laws of war. Their main purpose is to protect people who are not, or are no longer, taking part in hostilities.
The term most commonly refers to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, which were adopted after World War II to update and expand earlier treaties. They have since been supplemented by three Additional Protocols
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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is the primary organization tasked with ensuring respect for and monitoring the application of the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law (IHL). Its role is foundational to the entire system, as it was the driving force behind the original Convention in 1864
Click below to download a complete copy of the Geneva Conventions 1949 (link takes you ICRC website)
Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field. Geneva, 12 August 1949
Convention (II) for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea. Geneva, 12 August 1949.
Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949.
Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949.
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I), 8 June 1977.
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II), 8 June 1977.
Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem (Protocol III), 8 December 2005
The ICRC has produced Commentaries on each of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols to promote better understanding of and respect for these vital treaties.