Geneva Convention

The term Geneva Convention (GC) is commonly used to denote a system of four international treaties and three additional protocols regulating the treatment of noncombatant personnel (wounded, shipwrecked, and captured soldiers) as well as civilians in cases of armed conflicts between states. These treaties do not refer to the use of weapons, which is covered by the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907. The GC is not to be confused with the Geneva Protocol of 1925, which bans the use of chemical and biological weapons. Only states can become members of the conventions; nonetheless, nongovernmental organizations and substate organizations may still voluntarily declare compliance with the GC. The GC names the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as the sole body empowered to enforce ...