At its 75th anniversary, the Geneva Conventions, a crucial set of principles aimed at safeguarding civilians, detainees, and wounded individuals during times of conflict, are facing widespread neglect across various regions, including Gaza, Syria, Ukraine, and Myanmar. Despite being established in 1949 and ratified by almost all countries worldwide, the conventions are being routinely disregarded by both armed groups and national militaries. President Mirjana Spoljaric of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which supervises the conventions, emphasized the urgent need for a renewed dedication to upholding international humanitarian law in light of these challenges.
The Geneva Conventions, originating from the 19th century, outline regulations concerning the behavior during war, prohibiting practices such as torture and sexual violence, mandating humane treatment of prisoners, and requiring efforts to locate missing persons. Spoljaric stressed that the conventions represent a universal agreement that there are limits to warfare and underscored that dehumanizing enemy combatants and civilians only leads to destruction and calamity.
The International Committee of the Red Cross highlighted the heightened necessity for the Geneva Conventions in today’s world, citing over 120 active conflicts globally, a drastic rise from the count at the 50th-anniversary mark in 1999. Presently, numerous countries and armed groups exploit loopholes in international humanitarian law or interpret it selectively to suit their interests. This has resulted in widespread attacks on essential facilities like hospitals and schools, the targeting of aid workers and non-combatants, and instances where states deny access to incarcerated individuals. Efforts are being urged to reinforce the observance and implementation of these fundamental guidelines in times of armed conflict to ensure the protection of life and peace.