Genevakonventiot

Genevakonventiot, or the Geneva conventions, are a group of international treaties that establish humanitarian protections during armed conflict. They are part of international humanitarian law and seek to limit suffering by providing rules for the treatment of those who are not participating in hostilities or who are no longer able to fight, including wounded and sick combatants, shipwrecked seafarers, prisoners of war, and civilians.

The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 form the core framework. Convention I protects wounded and sick soldiers on land; Convention II covers wounded, sick, and shipwrecked personnel at sea; Convention III sets out the humane treatment of prisoners of war; Convention IV protects civilian persons in times of war. These provisions are complemented by customary international law and, where applicable, by additional agreements.

Historically, the Geneva Conventions trace back to 1864 and were substantially revised in 1906, 1929, and 1949, amid efforts led by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The 1949 Conventions reflect the modernized approach to protecting individuals in conflict zones and are widely ratified by states. The Conventions are further developed by Additional Protocols adopted in 1977 and 2005. Protocol I expands protections in international armed conflicts; Protocol II strengthens protections for civilians in non-international conflicts; Protocol III introduces the Red Crystal emblem as an additional protective symbol.

Enforcement rests on state responsibility and the work of the ICRC and other humanitarian actors. The Geneva conventions remain central to the conduct of hostilities, aiming to reduce human suffering while preserving basic human dignity during war.