The 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions is a time to celebrate and be concerned about the conventions‘ legacy. One of the greatest accomplishments of humankind in the past century, the Geneva Conventions have saved countless lives by reminding us that war has its limits. It deals with issues such as the treatment of wounded soldiers, the prohibition of torture, and the right of families to know where their loved ones are.
The Geneva Conventions were first adopted in 1949 by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). These landmark treaties protect civilians during conflict. Today, the Geneva Conventions have become essential texts for academic researchers and humanitarian organizations. Harvard University and the Red Cross use the treaties as evidence in their investigations of torture and warfare. The delegates who signed the Geneva Conventions in 1949 understood the value of multilateralism and understood that the rights of civilians during wartime would be abused or destroyed.
Despite its modest size, the Geneva Conventions are still an important text in humanitarian law. It provides protection to the civilian population during non-international armed conflicts. Thousands of scholars and organizations have used the treaties to better understand and protect the rights of civilians. Similarly, the Red Cross and Harvard University use the treaties to study war crimes and torture. The Geneva Conventions are a cornerstone of international humanitarian law and the foundation for modern international human rights. They were signed by 196 countries and are considered to be the most universally ratified international treaties in history.