Summary of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols: International humanitarian law

A major part of international humanitarian law is contained in the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 that have been adopted by all nations in the world. The Conventions have been expanded and supplemented by two further agreements: the Additional Protocols of 1977, relating to the protection of victims of armed conflicts, and the 2005 Additional Protocol III, relating to the adoption of an additional distinctive emblem. These Conventions provide specific rules to safeguard combatants or members of the armed forces who are wounded, sick or shipwrecked, prisoners of war, and civilians, as well as medical personnel, military chaplains and civilian support workers of the military.