Geneva Conventions

The Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols, of which Switzerland is the depositary state, form the backbone of international humanitarian law. The conventions define the treatment of civilians and combatants in times of war and occupation. Henry Dunant, founder of the Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross, initiated the first convention in 1864. The four conventions were revised and extended in 1949 to cover armed forces on land and sea, prisoners of war and civilians.