Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August, 1949
By 1977, two developments in armed conflict since WWII highlighted the need to enhance and improve the protections afforded by IHL. Firstly, civilians now constituted the vast majority of casualties in times of war. Secondly, it was now increasingly more likely that conflicts would occur within one country rather than between two countries. In response to these developments, the international community adopted two Protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions in 1977.
A third development took place in December 2005, with the agreement to adopt an additional protective emblem that would appear alongside the red cross or red crescent.
Protocol I (adopted 8 June 1977):
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts
Additional Protocol I enhances the protection afforded to victims of international armed conflict. Thus it prohibits indiscriminate attacks on civilians and any possessions necessary for their survival. It also develops protection for cultural objects, places of worship and the natural environment. The Protocol establishes an obligation to search for missing people and protects the activities of civil defence organisations. It also provides specific ways in which countries should incorporate IHL within their legal system. Finally, the Protocol seeks to develop principles of IHL applicable to conflicts concerning colonial domination, alien occupation and racist regimes and extends the definition of combatant provided certain conditions are met.
Complete text of Additional Protocol I
Protocol II (adopted 8 June 1977):
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts
The Second Additional Protocol applies only to internal armed conflicts. It protects those who are not, or are no longer, involved in hostilities. The Protocol provides for the fundamental rights of those detained, including the right to a fair trial. It provides more detailed protections for the civilian population, and expands the responsibilities of combatants, including the prohibition of methods of warfare such as intentional starvation and forced displacement.
Complete text of Additional Protocol II
Protocol III (adopted 8 December 2005):
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem
The Third Additional Protocol enhances the protective value and universal character of the emblem by reinforcing the principle that the distinctive emblems are not intended to have any religious, ethnic, racial, regional or political significance. It recognises the difficulties that States and National Societies may have with the use of the existing emblems and acknowledges an Additional Distinctive Emblem, composed of a red frame in the shape of a square on edge on a white background. The conditions for use of, and respect for, the Additional Emblem, formally known as the red crystal, are identical to those for the red cross and red crescent established by the Geneva Conventions.
Complete text of Additional Protocol III
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More information on the basic rules of the Conventions and Protocols
More information on the advances contained in the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions of 1949
