The Geneva Conventions And The Protection Of War Victims

Karan Arora, School of Law, UPES Dehradun

Overview:

The Geneva Conventions are a series of international agreements established between 1864 and 1949 to lessen the brutality of war on both soldiers and civilians. Inspired by the founder of the Red Cross, Henri Dunant, these treaties have been continually updated to reflect the changing nature of warfare.

The first convention in 1864 focused on protecting medical personnel and facilities treating wounded soldiers. It also ensured impartial care for all injured combatants and established the Red Cross symbol as a universally recognized emblem of neutrality. Subsequent agreements expanded these protections to maritime warfare and included regulations regarding prisoners of war, requiring humane treatment and basic standards of living.

Following the atrocities of World War II, the Geneva Conventions were significantly revised in 1949. These revisions reaffirmed the neutral status of the sick and wounded, along with stricter guidelines for treating prisoners of war. Notably, the 1949 conventions placed strong emphasis on protecting civilians during wartime, prohibiting deportation, hostage-taking, torture, and other egregious acts. They also outlawed discrimination based on factors like race, religion, or political beliefs.

In essence, the Geneva Conventions represent a continuous effort to limit the barbarity of war by safeguarding those not actively fighting and establishing rules for how wars can be waged.