76th Anniversary of the Adoption of the 1949 Geneva Conventions on the Protection of Victims of War

On this day, 76 years ago, the four Geneva Conventions were adopted, to which nearly every state in the world is now a party. The signing took place during a diplomatic conference held in Geneva, Switzerland — which gave the Conventions their name. These international treaties regulate key aspects of the protection of civilians and the treatment of prisoners of war, the sick, and the wounded in armed conflict.

The Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 form the cornerstone of modern international humanitarian law (IHL). Their adoption followed the Second World War, which had resulted in extensive civilian suffering and widespread destruction.

In total, there are four international treaties:

1. The Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field — obliges all parties to an armed conflict to provide care for the wounded on the battlefield without any discrimination. It also offers protection to medical and religious personnel of the armed forces, who are identified by the Red Cross emblem.
2. The Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea — establishes similar rules, taking into account the particularities of naval warfare.
3. The Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War — provides protection for prisoners of war and regulates their treatment by the parties involved in the conflict.
4.  The Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War — prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian objects, and obliges parties to the conflict to treat the civilian population humanely. It offers protection to those who do not take, or have ceased to take, part in hostilities.

The 1949 Geneva Conventions on the protection of victims of war, along with their Additional Protocols, remain among the most fundamental and universally recognised sources of international humanitarian law. The Ukrainian Red Cross continues its awareness-raising efforts in this field, supporting the state in implementing these norms to strengthen the protection of war victims.