Introduction
75 years of the Geneva Conventions
Welcome to the Federal Department of Foreign
Affairs' digital platform dedicated to exploring the Geneva Conventions. On the
occasion of the 75th anniversary of these treaties, the cornerstone of
international humanitarian law (IHL), we revisit the origins of the Geneva
Conventions, the challenges they face and Switzerland's actions to implement
them. We invite you on a multimedia journey through infographics, videos and
texts, tracing the path from Solferino to Geneva, with a stop in Bern. Enjoy
your discovery.
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Table des matières
The Geneva Conventions in five points
Que sont les Conventions de Genève
What are the Geneva Conventions?
The Geneva Conventions are international treaties which, together with their three Additional Protocols, constitute the pillars of international humanitarian law (IHL). Their aim is to mitigate the brutality of warfare by establishing minimum humanitarian standards that must be respected in all armed conflicts.
The Geneva Conventions protect people who are not taking part in hostilities (civilians, medical personnel or members of humanitarian organisations) as well as those who are no longer taking part in the fighting (wounded, sick and shipwrecked persons, and prisoners of war).
Switzerland is the depositary of the four Geneva Conventions, adopted in 1949, and their three Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005.
The Geneva Conventions in five points
The Geneva Conventions protect people who are not taking part in hostilities (civilians, medical personnel or members of humanitarian organisations) as well as those who are no longer taking part in the fighting (wounded, sick and shipwrecked persons, and prisoners of war).
Switzerland is the depositary of the four Geneva Conventions, adopted in 1949, and their three Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005.
The Geneva Conventions in five points
La Suisse et les Conventions de Genève, quelle histoire?
Switzerland and the Geneva Conventions: a historical overview
1859: Battle of Solferino: Henry Dunant initiated the first actions to protect victims of war, leading to the creation of the ICRC).
1864-1929: International conferences (Geneva, The Hague): Conventions adopted to protect war victims and regulate methods and means of warfare.
1939-1945: Second World War: Highlighted the need to strengthen existing IHL protections.
1949: Geneva: Federal Councillor Max Petitpierre chaired an international conference that drafted the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, which were later supplemented by the Additional Protocols.
The Geneva Conventions in five points
1864-1929: International conferences (Geneva, The Hague): Conventions adopted to protect war victims and regulate methods and means of warfare.
1939-1945: Second World War: Highlighted the need to strengthen existing IHL protections.
1949: Geneva: Federal Councillor Max Petitpierre chaired an international conference that drafted the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, which were later supplemented by the Additional Protocols.
The Geneva Conventions in five points
Quel est l'impact des Conventions de Genève?
What is the impact of the Geneva Conventions?
The Geneva Conventions continue to save millions of lives threatened by hundreds of conflicts worldwide, reunite countless separated family members and offer solace to thousands of prisoners of war. The Geneva Conventions aim to limit the effects of armed conflict and can thus facilitate a return to peace.
The Geneva Conventions in five points
The Geneva Conventions in five points
The origins of the Geneva Conventions: a visionary humanitarian response
The
idea that the most vulnerable should be protected from war dates back to
ancient times and is not unique to any single culture or people.
For example, the prologue to the Code of Hammurabi, issued by the Babylonian king of the same name nearly 4,000 years ago, states that these laws are promulgated "so that the strong may not oppress the weak".
For example, the prologue to the Code of Hammurabi, issued by the Babylonian king of the same name nearly 4,000 years ago, states that these laws are promulgated "so that the strong may not oppress the weak".
The
modern era of protecting civilians and efforts to reduce war-related suffering
can be traced back to Solferino. At the centre of this story is Henry Dunant, a
citizen of Geneva.
It all began in 1859.
During a trip to northern Italy, Dunant witnessed the horrors of the Battle of
Solferino. Deeply moved by the suffering of the wounded left untreated, he
wrote 'A Memory of Solferino'.
This book proposed two revolutionary ideas: creating relief societies to care for the war-wounded in each country and concluding an international agreement to protect the wounded and medical personnel.
This book proposed two revolutionary ideas: creating relief societies to care for the war-wounded in each country and concluding an international agreement to protect the wounded and medical personnel.
These visionary proposals led to the creation of the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1863.
In 1864, Switzerland organised a diplomatic conference that resulted in the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field – the First Geneva Convention – laying the foundations of modern IHL.
In 1864, Switzerland organised a diplomatic conference that resulted in the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field – the First Geneva Convention – laying the foundations of modern IHL.
Nevertheless, the atrocities witnessed during the Second World War made it abundantly clear that there was a pressing need to bolster the protection of civilians. Recognising the urgent need for action, Switzerland, under the leadership of Federal Councillor Max Petitpierre, convened a diplomatic conference in Geneva in 1949 to address these concerns.
The participating states took just four months to approve the revision of the existing conventions and the addition of a fourth covering civilians. The four Geneva Conventions resulting from this conference were adopted in 1949
1. Protection of wounded and sick soldiers on land during war.
2. Protection of wounded, sick and shipwrecked military personnel at sea during war
3. Prisoners of war
4. Protection of civilians
The participating states took just four months to approve the revision of the existing conventions and the addition of a fourth covering civilians. The four Geneva Conventions resulting from this conference were adopted in 1949
1. Protection of wounded and sick soldiers on land during war.
2. Protection of wounded, sick and shipwrecked military personnel at sea during war
3. Prisoners of war
4. Protection of civilians
What about violations of IHL?
Violations of IHL have severe consequences for civilian populations. Under the conventions, states parties are obliged to respect their provisions and ensure compliance, thereby reinforcing both individual and collective responsibility. IHL requires states to take all necessary legislative and judicial measures to prosecute those who commit or order the commission of grave breaches.
Switzerland has made respecting, promoting and implementing IHL a constant priority of its foreign policy. Consequently, Switzerland has the tools and mechanisms needed not only to disseminate and provide training in IHL but also to prosecute war crimes at national level.
At international level, it is also actively involved in the fight against impunity, particularly by supporting the International Criminal Court.
The Geneva Conventions in five points
Switzerland has made respecting, promoting and implementing IHL a constant priority of its foreign policy. Consequently, Switzerland has the tools and mechanisms needed not only to disseminate and provide training in IHL but also to prosecute war crimes at national level.
At international level, it is also actively involved in the fight against impunity, particularly by supporting the International Criminal Court.
The Geneva Conventions in five points
Switzerland's assessment and implementation of the Geneva Conventions
More
than 100 active conflicts worldwide are causing immense human suffering.
Humanitarian crises are multiplying. The commemoration of the adoption of the
Geneva Conventions is therefore taking place in a complex and tense political
context.
In light of this
situation, the Conventions remain more relevant than ever. They embody the
strongest universal consensus on preserving our shared humanity during wartime,
underscoring their continued significance, utility and importance. The Geneva
Conventions remain our most effective instrument for protecting victims of
armed conflicts.
"It's important to recognise that the
Conventions are often respected. Each instance of compliance means that
suffering is prevented, prisoners are kept safe and families can be informed,"
explains Franz Perrez, director of the FDFA's Directorate of International Law,
in an interview.
However, violations of IHL in armed conflicts
worldwide are still far too common and result in unacceptable humanitarian
consequences.
75 years later: let’s renew our commitment!
At a time when the global situation is marked by conflicts causing immense suffering, elevating IHL to a political priority is imperative.
The 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions is an opportunity for all states to take concrete steps to renew their commitment in the name of a common humanity and to ensure respect for IHL.
All states have an obligation to respect and ensure respect for the Geneva Conventions in all circumstances. In this regard, Switzerland calls on all states and other actors to use their influence to prevent and stop violations of IHL.
The Geneva Conventions in five points
The 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions is an opportunity for all states to take concrete steps to renew their commitment in the name of a common humanity and to ensure respect for IHL.
All states have an obligation to respect and ensure respect for the Geneva Conventions in all circumstances. In this regard, Switzerland calls on all states and other actors to use their influence to prevent and stop violations of IHL.
The Geneva Conventions in five points
Conventions and digital technologies
In our increasingly
digitalised societies, the use of digital technologies in armed conflicts by
various actors is a reality. This has an impact on how conflicts are conducted,
how humanitarian operations are carried out and how affected populations utilise
these new technologies.
Philippe Stoll,
senior techplomacy delegate at the ICRC, states: "Even in the digital space, war has limits. It's our position that the Geneva Conventions, despite the fact that they were adopted 75 years ago, remain fully applicable to modern conflicts. They restrict cyber operations in armed conflicts just as much as they do conventional types of weapons and methods of warfare. This underscores the Conventions' enduring relevance. As custodians of the Geneva Conventions, we must continually analyse and apply their principles to emerging warfare contexts."
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75 years of the Geneva Conventions
Les Conventions de Genève en bref
The Geneva Conventions in five points
What are the Geneva Conventions?
Switzerland and the Geneva Conventions: a historical overview
What is the impact of the Geneva Conventions?
Vidéo Solférino
What about violations of IHL?
Engagement de la Suisse
75 years later: let’s renew our commitment!
Conventions and digital technologies
75 years of the Geneva Conventions
Les Conventions de Genève en bref
The Geneva Conventions in five points
What are the Geneva Conventions?
Switzerland and the Geneva Conventions: a historical overview
What is the impact of the Geneva Conventions?
Vidéo Solférino
What about violations of IHL?
Engagement de la Suisse
75 years later: let’s renew our commitment!
Conventions and digital technologies