Geneva Conventions mark 77 years as foundation of humanitarian law

The Geneva Conventions, the foundation of international humanitarian law, mark their 77th anniversary. Adopted on August 12, 1949, in Geneva following the devastation of World War II, these four conventions established a system to protect wounded and sick soldiers on land and sea, prisoners of war, and civilian populations during armed conflicts.

The protections were further strengthened by Additional Protocols in 1977 and 2005. The movement toward modern humanitarian law was originally initiated by Swiss entrepreneur Henri Dunant, who founded the International Committee of the Red Cross after witnessing the Battle of Solferino in 1859.

The Croatian Red Cross has highlighted the ongoing importance of these rules, noting that contemporary conflicts often involve attacks on hospitals, schools, and civilian infrastructure, as well as the blocking of humanitarian aid. Marina Pinjagić Telak, Deputy Executive President of the Croatian Red Cross, emphasized that the conventions represent a universal obligation to protect human dignity, stating, “humanity must not be a victim of war.” With more than 130 armed conflicts occurring globally, the organization warns that the primary challenge is no longer developing new legal norms, but ensuring consistent respect for existing ones.