International Humanitaria

n Law

Origins

Hammurabic Code (1772 BCE)

Justinian Code (7th Century CE)

English Common Law

U.S. Bill of Rights 1791

Lieber Codes: Civil War

Memory of Solferino, Henry Dunant

Geneva Convention 1864

Ambulances, military hospitals, personnel recognized as neutral

Citizens assisting wounded are protected

Wounded/sick combatants collected and cared for

The symbol of a red cross on a white background (reverse of the Swiss flag) identifies neutral, medical personnel

Adjustments/Amendments

1949: New rules governing the treatment of POWS

1977: Prohibition of child recruitment in armed forces, protecting of cultural objects and places of worship

Standard POW package

Circa 1943

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Economic and/or political sanctions (usually imposed by United Nations)

Nations that are party to the Geneva Conventions must pass domestic legislation providing penalties for violations

Serious violations (breach) is regarded as a war crime (ex. Torture, hostage taking, rape, etc.)

Special Trials/Tribunals

Nuremberg (1945-46) and Tokyo (1946-48)

UN War Tribunals: Former Yugoslavia & Rwanda

International Criminal Court

July 1, 2002

60 nations

Now 100