The Geneva Convention

The Geneva Conventions are a series of international treaties designed to protect people during times of war. Established in 1864 and updated several times, they set rules for the humane treatment of wounded soldiers, prisoners of war, and civilians. Key principles include prohibiting torture, ensuring medical care for the injured, and safeguarding non-combatants from violence. Countries that ratify these conventions commit to respecting and enforcing these standards in armed conflicts, aiming to minimize suffering and promote human dignity even in war. The conventions are foundational to modern international humanitarian law.