On 12 August 1949, in Geneva, the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War is adopted — the ICRC/UN instrument protecting civilians in occupied territory and armed conflict.

The Convention bans deportations, hostages and collective penalties and addresses civilian population rights, complementing the three conventions on the wounded, shipwrecked and prisoners of war signed the same day.

Adopted after the horrors of the Second World War, together with the 1977 Protocols it forms the core of modern international humanitarian law.

Entry into force: 21 October 1950. It is among the world’s most widely ratified conventions.

For humanitarian law, 12 August 1949 marks adoption of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The official text is on the ICRC site / IHL databases.

The Fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 remains the pillar of civilian protection in war.

Image: Geneva / ICRC; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: Fourth Geneva Convention. Treaty text: Fourth Geneva Convention (ICRC).