What are the main IHL treaties and related instruments?

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International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a body of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflicts and protect individuals who are not or are no longer taking part in hostilities. Several key treaties and related instruments form the foundation of IHL. Here are some of the main ones:

  1. Geneva Conventions of 1949: The four Geneva Conventions consist of international treaties that establish the core principles of IHL. They provide protection to wounded and sick armed forces on land and at sea, prisoners of war, and civilians during armed conflicts. The four conventions are:
  • Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field (First Convention)
  • Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea (Second Convention)
  • Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (Third Convention)
  • Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (Fourth Convention)
  1. Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions:
  • Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I): It extends the protection of the Geneva Conventions to victims of international armed conflicts.
  • Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II): It provides protection to victims of non-international armed conflicts.
  1. Hague Conventions:
  • Hague Convention (II) with Respect to the Laws and Customs of War on Land and its Annex: It contains regulations on the conduct of hostilities and the treatment of the wounded and prisoners of war.
  • Hague Convention (IV) respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land and its Annex: It addresses the protection of civilians in time of war.
  1. Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Mine Ban Treaty): It prohibits the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines and requires their destruction.
  2. Convention on Cluster Munitions: This treaty bans the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions and requires their clearance and assistance to victims.
  3. Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (Biological Weapons Convention): It prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of biological weapons.
  4. Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (Chemical Weapons Convention): It prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.

These are some of the main IHL treaties and related instruments. There are other regional and specialized treaties and agreements that further contribute to the body of international humanitarian law.

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