The International Humanitarian Law which protects man against the consequences of war, is of concern to all of us. It owes its inspiration to the feeling of humanity, its purpose being to alleviate the suffering of all the victims of armed conflicts, as well as of the non-combatants or those who have ceased to take part in hostilities.
Ever since 1864 when for the first time rules were adopted for the amelioration of the condition of the wounded in armies in the field, until this day, the ICRC has been making constant efforts to ensure effective protection for the victims of armed conflicts.
On 12 August 1949 at a Diplomatic Conference in Geneva were adopted the humanitarian treaties in the form they are today, i.e. the four Geneva Conventions, which are the basis of the International Humanitarian Law:
1. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field;
2. Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea;
3. Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War;
4. Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
As a result of the changing character of conflicts in the world, in 1977 were adopted two Additional Protocols elaborated under the aegis of ICRC: Protocol relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I), and Protocol relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-lnternational Armed conflicts (Protocol II). The Protocols consider decolonization and liberation wars as international armed conflicts; they ensure better protection of civilians against attacks and indiscriminate hostilities; they require humane treatment of detainees, and emphasize the obligation of every country to protect medical personnel, and the emblems of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
The fundamental principles underlying the Conventions and the Protocols could be expressed in a very simple way: The life and dignity of all persons should be respected and protected at all times.
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