12 August 1949 – Adoption of the Four Geneva Conventions

On 12 August 1949, the four Geneva Conventions were adopted in Geneva. Today, they are regarded as the foundation of modern International Humanitarian Law (IHL). These international treaties serve as a universal reminder that humanity must be protected regardless of the circumstances, with the aim of reducing human suffering and ensuring dignity for all those affected.

The Conventions are designed to protect persons who are not, or are no longer, taking part in hostilities during armed conflicts through four key pillars:

• The First Geneva Convention protects wounded and sick members of the armed forces on land.
• The Second Geneva Convention protects wounded, sick, and shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea.
• The Third Geneva Convention guarantees humane treatment of prisoners of war.
• The Fourth Geneva Convention is of vital importance because, for the first time, it provides comprehensive protection for civilians during times of war.

Today, the Geneva Conventions are among the most widely accepted treaties in the world. By ratifying them, nearly every State has committed to respecting fundamental humanitarian principles even in the most difficult circumstances of armed conflict.