Geneva Conventions: ‘Humanity’s bet against horror’

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which today form the core of international humanitarian law (IHL). This branch of international law endeavors to uphold fundamental human dignity even in the midst of armed conflicts.

It sets rules and limits in armed conflicts for all warring parties, irrespective of how it started or who is deemed in the right, or in the wrong. It has also been supporting, since its inception, the work of humanitarian organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

It was this humanitarian spirit, which is present in many traditions, religions and customs around the world, that led a Swiss Businessman, Henry Dunant, to establish the ICRC and work towards the conclusion of the first Geneva Convention in 1864.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, during which so many atrocities were committed, especially against the civilian population, the international community felt the urgency to adopt new rules to extend IHL’s protective character to civilians.

This task of reworking the existing Conventions, advanced by the Red Cross Movement in the 1930s, culminated on August 12, 1949: Many states convened in Geneva at the invitation of the Swiss government to adopt 429 articles, written largely by the lawyers of the ICRC.

If belligerents continue their operations, they must avoid civilian casualties as much as possible; therefore, it is absolutely forbidden to intentionally target the civilian population.

Specific red lines are drawn: Killing a soldier who surrenders, bombing a hospital, torturing or denying care to wounded or sick people are all the unacceptable violations of the law.

China is a state Party to the Geneva Conventions as well as other core IHL treaties and has been actively participating in multilateral processes concerning IHL.

At the domestic level, China also established in 2007 a National IHL Committee. Such Committees can play an essential role in coordinating and promoting the domestic implementation of IHL.

The Geneva Conventions set forth fundamental obligations, which, 70 years later, remain as relevant as ever.

Great challenges still await us, but one thing is certain: Though conflicts may evolve, the essential principles remain.

As states ultimately remain responsible to ensure respect for IHL in all circumstances, we trust that they will maintain the initial, fundamentally multilateral and universal spirit that led to the conclusion of the Geneva Conventions and will further support the implementation, clarification and development of IHL.

Bernardino Regazzoni is the Ambassador of Switzerland to China, Mongolia and North Korea; Jacques Pellet is Head of Regional Delegation for East Asia, International Committee of the Red Cross