What are the Geneva Conventions?

The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are a collection of rules that protect people during times of war. The Conventions and Protocol I generally apply to international armed conflicts.

However, Article 3 in each of the Conventions explains that in any armed conflict, regarding people that are not a part of combat, or no longer a part of combat, enemy forces may not: use violence, take hostages, inflict indignities, or sentence without fair judgement. Article 3 also demands that wounded and sick people receive care (Convention I, Article 3).

The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols underpin the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Geneva Conventions of 1949

The First Geneva Convention improves conditions for wounded and sick members (among others, such as medical and religious personnel) of the armed forces on land.

The Second Geneva Convention improves conditions for wounded, sick, or shipwrecked members (among others, such as medical and religious personnel) of the armed forces at sea.

The Third Geneva Convention sets standards for the treatment of prisoners of war.

The Fourth Geneva Convention protects civilians (people who are not in a military or police force).

Additional Protocols

Protocol I of 1977 applies rules of war to national liberation struggles. These conflicts include fights against colonial rule, foreign occupation, and racist regimes.

Protocol II of 1977 applies rules of war to internal wars.

Protocol III of 2005 recognizes that in addition to the red cross and red crescent, the red crystal is an emblem of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

History of the Geneva Conventions

The Geneva Conventions of 1949 are the most contemporary versions, but the Conventions have a long history of development even before World War II. Download the free pdf of Moebius’s The Story of an Idea to learn more about the history of the Geneva Conventions and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.