Geneva Convention Resources Order Handbook Introduction History Author's Note Alphabetical Index Convention Texts Online Resources Offline Resources About this Guide Contacts

TEXTS OF THE CONVENTIONS
Programs & Committees > International Journalism > Geneva Conventions > Texts

Geneva Conventions of 1949 and 1977

There are four Geneva Conventions, signed August 12, 1949, and the two additional Protocols of June 8, 1977. These treaties are all fully indexed on this site.

In addition, there are many other international treaties which govern the conduct of war or establish human rights standards (see more treaties) which are not indexed here.

Convention I

For the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field. Sets forth the protections for members of the armed forces who become wounded or sick.

Convention II

For the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea. Extends protections to wounded, sick and shipwrecked members of naval forces.

Convention III

Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Geneva. Lists the rights of prisoners of war.

Convention IV

Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, Geneva. Deals with the protection of the civilian population in times of war.

Protocol I

Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts. Extends protections to victims of wars against racist regimes and wars of self determination.

Protocol II

Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Proection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts. Extends protections to victims of internal conflicts in which an armed opposition controls enough territory to enable them to carry out sustained military operations.

More Treaties

A number of other treaties have been signed, covering such issues as human rights, th euse of particular weapons, and genocide. They include:

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948
• Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948
• Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 1954
• International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination of 1965
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966
• Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity of 1968.
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women of 1979
• Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects. Geneva of 1980.
• Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 1984
• Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989
• Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction of 1993
• Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction of 1997

Copyright © 2003 Maria Trombly. All rights reserved.