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The geneva conventions are four treaties and three additional protocols. The all define what is legal in international conflicts. Notably the geneva conventions only cover the rights of prisoners and non-combatants. The use of weapons is covered on the geneva-protocol
History
After visiting wounded soldiers in the Battle of Solferino, the swiss Businessman Henry Durant wrote A memory of Solferino 1 and his proposals later led to the creation of the Red Cross in Geneva and a governmant treaty recognizing the neutrality of it.
This treaty influenced the creation of the first Geneva Conventions in 1864. They were called the "Geneva Conventions, for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field"
Henry Durant became the first recipient of a Nobel Peace Price in 1901.
The first tries to expand the geneva conventions where not successfull, but led to the creation of the Hague Conventions.
They where several improvements made to the geneva conventions over the years:
1907: 1929: Protections of Prisoners of War 1949: Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, ratified in whole/with reservations by 195 countries 1977: Protocols 1/2, Protecting of Victims of international/non-international armed conflict 2005: Protocol 3, New Emblem for medical services
A map showing the current status of Protocol 2 by country, as of July 2020
Green: State parties (169)
Light Green: State signatories (3)
Content
The geneva conventions contain a list of "grave breaches" which also provide a definition of war crimes. These relate to people which take no part in active hostilities, members of armed forces which layed down their arms, are wounded or detained.
- willful killing, torture or inhumane treatment, including biological experiments
- willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health
- compelling a protected person to serve in the armed forces of a hostile power
- willfully depriving a protected person of the right to a fair trial if accused of a war crime.
- taking of hostages
- extensive destruction and appropriation of property not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly
- unlawful deportation, transfer or confinement
Enforcement
Nations who are party to these treaties must enact and enforce legislation penalizing any of these crimes. Those parties must also search for persons that committed or ordered the committing of crimes under the geneva conventions regardless of the nationality of those persons.