The Geneva Conventions for the Protection of Wounded, Sick, Shipwrecked, Prisoners of War and Civilians in Times of War (adopted 12 August 1949, entered into force 21 October 1950) 75 UNTS 31/85/135/287

Date: 21 October 1950

The International Committee of the Red Cross defines international humanitarian law as “a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.”

As drug law enforcement in many countries around the world has become more and more militarised, and as terrorist and armed groups have increasingly been funded by the drug trade, the nexus between international humanitarian law and drug control laws and policies has become more and more important.

International Humanitarian Law, as with other branches of international law finds its source in customary international law and international treaties. The core humanitarian treaties are the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols of 1977 and 2005.

1949 Conventions:

Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field. Geneva, 12 August 1949.

Convention (II) for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea. Geneva, 12 August 1949

Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949

Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949