People and their needs are at the centre of the Geneva Conventions. They were designed to protect people’s safety, dignity and wellbeing during armed conflict, especially those who are most vulnerable, including children, women, older people, injured and sick people, people with disabilities and detained people. The Geneva Conventions have saved countless lives and reduced suffering across hundreds of armed conflicts in the past 70 years.
The Red Cross is involved in humanitarian responses to conflicts around the world. Every day we see what the law can do to protect people: a wounded person allowed through a checkpoint; a child who receives the food they need; people in detention who are able to send messages to their families; and many other examples. The law can and does work to protect vulnerable people.
Respecting the Geneva Conventions is as important as ever. Though the Geneva Conventions are universally ratified, they are not universally respected. It is still relevant and important to reaffirm that people must be treated with humanity, even in armed conflict. When they are not respected, there can be devastating humanitarian consequences. Basic rules ensure that even enemies are seen as human beings.