06 September 2013

United Nations Charter, Geneva Conventions, Protocols, and Related Documents




  • THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER
  • THE FOUR TREATIES OF THE GENEVA CONVENTION (I-III updated 1949, IV 12 August 1949).

    • I. Amelioration of the condition of the wounded and sick in armed forces in the field ICRC
    • II. Amelioration of the condition of wounded, sick and shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea ICRC
    • III. Treatment of Prisoners of War ICRC
    • IV. Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War ICRC

    Because the Fourth Geneva Convention calls for protection of civilians in time of war, it is particularly pertinent to the manner in which an occupying force is obligated to treat people in occupied territories.


  • ADDITIONAL PROTOCOLS (8 June 1977)
    • Protocol I - Relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts [Chapter III. Journalists - Measures of protection for journalists] ICRC
    • Protocol II - Relating to the protection of victims of non-international armed conflicts ICRC
    • Protocol III - Relating to additional distinctive emblems - universal character and protective value ICRC
  • OTHER INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ON WARFARE
    • Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (CCWC) Which May be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, as amended on 21 December 2001>
    • Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (pdf download from OHCHR)
      Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 39/46 of 10 December 1984 entry into force 26 June 1987, in accordance with article 27 (1)
    • Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
      Adopted by Resolution 260 (III) A of the United Nations General Assembly on 9 December 1948. This is the "entry into force" document of 12 January 1951, in accordance with article XIII, of resolution 260 A (III) of 9 December 1948 approved and proposed for signature and ratification or accession by General Assembly. This is the "entry into force" document of 12 January 1951, in accordance with article XIII, of resolution 260 A (III) of 9 December 1948 approved and proposed for signature and ratification or accession by General Assembly. It includes a link to nations that ratified.
  • ADDITIONAL RESOURCES