Geneva Conventions (I–IV)
1949-08-12
1955-08-02
Summary
The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 form the core of international humanitarian law governing the conduct of armed conflict. Convention I covers wounded and sick soldiers on land; Convention II covers wounded, sick, and shipwrecked military at sea; Convention III governs prisoners of war; Convention IV protects civilians in wartime. Common Article 3 applies minimum standards to non-international armed conflicts.
Parties
U.S. Implementing Legislation
War Crimes Act of 1996
18 U.S.C. § 2441
Criminalizes grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions when committed by or against U.S. nationals or armed forces members.
Uniform Code of Military Justice
10 U.S.C. §§ 801–946a
Incorporates Geneva Convention obligations into military law and provides for enforcement through courts-martial.
Key Cases
Hamdi v. Rumsfeld, 542 U.S. 507 (2004) — Due process rights of U.S. citizen detained as enemy combatant
Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, 548 U.S. 557 (2006) — Military commissions must comply with Common Article 3
Boumediene v. Bush, 553 U.S. 723 (2008) — Habeas corpus extends to Guantánamo detainees