The Geneva Conventions are the core treaties of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Adopted in 1949 and came into effect in 1950, they seek to protect people who are not, or are no longer, participating in hostilities during armed conflicts.

Four Geneva Conventions

• First Convention: Protects wounded and sick members of armed forces on land, along with medical personnel and facilities.
• Second Convention: Protects wounded, sick, and shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea.
• Third Convention: Deals with the treatment of Prisoners of War (POWs). It requires humane treatment and prohibits torture and degrading treatment.
• Fourth Convention: Protects civilians during war, particularly civilians under enemy control and in occupied territories.

Additional Protocols

• Additional Protocol I (1977): Strengthens protection for victims of international armed conflicts.
• Additional Protocol II (1977): Protects in certain non-international armed conflicts, such as conflicts between state forces and organized armed groups.
• Additional Protocol III (2005): Introduced the Red Crystal as an additional protective emblem alongside the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Source: The Indian Express