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Icrc 002 0368 PDF
Icrc 002 0368 PDF
IN BRIEF
SUMMARY OF
THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS
OF 12 AUGUST 1949
AND THEIR ADDITIONAL
PROTOCOLS
Throughout this text, pronouns and adjectives in the masculine gender apply equally
to men and women, unless otherwise specified.
The Roman numerals in brackets refer to the number of the Convention, Additional
Protocol (P.); the Arabic numerals indicate articles.
care of the wounded and sick. Only in the event of urgent military
necessity may equipment from fixed medical facilities or sick-bays
be used for other purposes, provided that ongoing care for the
wounded and sick is guaranteed (I, 33, 34/Il, 28, 38).
The emblem of the red cross, red crescent or red crystal on a white
background, a symbol of aid to the wounded and sick, may be
used to designate facilities, units, vehicles, personnel and supplies
entitled to protection. It may not be otherwise used or displayed
without the consent of the competent authority. It must be
scrupulously respected at all times (I, 38-44/Il, 41-43/P.I, 18/P.ll,
12/P.III, 2).
he has the right to a fair trial (P.I, 75). These rights are also recognized in the case of non-international armed conflicts (I-IV, 3),
particularly when such conflicts are especially intense (P.ll, 4, 6).
Conditions of captivity
The detaining power must supply prisoners of war, free of charge,
with adequate food and clothing, provide them with quarters
equal to those of its own troops, and give them the medical care
required by their state of health (III, 15, 25, 26, 27, 30).
Prisoners of war, with the exception of officers, may be obliged
to work. They must receive pay; working conditions must be equal
to those of nationals of the detaining power. They may not be
compelled to do military work, nor work which is dangerous,
unhealthy or degrading (IlI, 49-54).
When taken prisoner, they must be allowed to notify their next
of kin and the Central Tracing Agency of the International
Committee of the Red Cross. Afterwards, they may correspond
regularly with their relatives, receive relief consignments, and be
attended by ministers of their own religion (Ill, 33, 63, 70, 71, 72).
They must be entitled to elect a spokesperson (prisoners repres
entative), who will represent them vis--vis the detaining power
and welfare organizations assisting them (Ill, 79).
They must have the right to address complaints and requests to
representatives of the protecting power, who are authorized, as
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ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL I
Part III, Section I
Conduct of combatants
The Protocol lays down the rules governing the conduct of combatants during hostilities. The basic principle underlying these
rules is that the right of the warring parties to choose methods
and means of warfare is not unlimited. It follows that it is prohibited to use arms, projectiles and materials and methods of warfare
that cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering (P.I, 35).
It is prohibited to kill, injure or capture an adversary by resorting
to perfidy (P.I, 37). The recognized emblems (red cross, red
crescent and red crystal emblem, white flag, protective emblem
of cultural property, etc.) must not be misused (P.I, 38/P.III, 1, 2).
The use of nationality emblems of adverse parties or other States
not party to the conflict is prohibited (P.I, 39). The Protocol thus
affirms that the law of armed conflict requires a degree of fairness
on the part of the combatants.
It is prohibited to refuse quarter (P.I, 40). An adversary who is not
or no longer able to take part in hostilities, who has surrendered
or who clearly expresses the intention of surrendering, must not
be made the object of attack (P.I, 41, 42). A captor who lacks the
means to evacuate his prisoners must release them (P.I, 41).
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These civilians must have the right of free recourse to the protecting
power, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the
National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society of the country where
they are located (IV, 30). The representatives of the protecting power
and of the International Committee must be able to visit them freely
(IV, 30, 143).
The State in whose hands these civilians find themselves is
responsible for the treatment accorded to them by its civilian
officials and military personnel (IV, 29).
Finally, should they be interned a measure which cannot be
applied as a form of punishment they are entitled to treatment
which must, in general and taking into account the fact that they
are civilians, be on a par with that of prisoners of war (IV,
79-135).
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MISSION
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial,
neutral and independent organization whose exclusively
humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims
of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide
them with assistance. The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering
by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal
humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the
origin of the Geneva Conventions and the International Red Cross
and Red Crescent Movement. It directs and coordinates the
international activities conducted by the Movement in armed
conflicts and other situations of violence.