War’s long legacy: the continued importance of the Geneva Conventions 75 years later

Next week marks the 75th anniversary of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949. Against a backdrop of over 120 armed conflicts worldwide, this should prompt us not to celebrate, but to reflect: how were these now universally accepted humanitarian norms drafted, and are they still fit for purpose today?

In this post, ICRC Legal Adviser Ellen Policinski examines how the Geneva Conventions are interpreted and applied today, providing concrete examples from the ICRC’s updated Commentaries. She goes on to investigate the recurring critique that international humanitarian law (IHL) is somehow outdated, examining who benefits from the narrative that the Geneva Conventions and IHL more generally are not appropriate legal tools to govern armed conflicts today.

READ OR LISTEN

📑 Delve into our special collection of blog posts celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. Discover how these agreements continue to shape international humanitarian law and influence global conflict resolution.

📘 Critical Readings

Publication | The Geneva Conventions at 75: A Common Heritage of Humanity

Article | The Timeless Relevance of the Geneva Conventions

Research Guide | 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions – “The one set of rules we all agree on”

Research Guide | A primer on the Geneva Conventions by the ICRC Library

📝 Call for papers: Emerging Voices

As part of commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions this year, we are excited to announce the launch of a new blog series, "Emerging Voices in International Humanitarian Law, Policy, and Action." This initiative seeks to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the forefront of humanitarian law and policy discussions. We invite young scholars, new professionals, and passionate voices from traditionally underrepresented regions to contribute their ideas and insights. Contributions should offer novel arguments, challenge conventional approaches, and propose solutions that can influence future debates under IHL. We welcome submissions in English, Arabic, French, and Spanish. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2024.