Geneva Conventions (1949)

The Geneva Conventions are international treaties that constitute an important element of international humanitarian law. In the event of war or an international or non-international armed conflict, they contain rules designed to protect nonparticipants.

The provisions of the four Conventions of 1949 address the “wounded and sick in armed forces and field” (first Geneva Convention), “wounded, sick and shipwrecked members of the armed forces at sea” (second Geneva Convention), prisoners of war (third Geneva Convention) and “civilian persons in time of war” (fourth Geneva Convention).