Rules of War
Irene and Geri
Background
- Rules of war have always existed to dictate the proper conduct during a war
- The rules of war are individualized for each army
- The Geneva Convention and the Hague Convention set up rules that applied to all situations regarding war and applied to all countries
The Geneva Conventions
- Made official in 1949
- Followed by 190 countries
- Regarded treatment of the victims of war (e.g. civilians, wounded or sick soldiers, or prisoners of war)
- First conference (in 1864) established rules to protect the wounded and sick on the field
Some of the rules include:
- Medical attention must always be given regardless of which side the wounded was fighting on
- Sick or wounded soldiers must be treated with respect regardless of race, color, religion, etc.
- It is illegal to hold a wounded or sick person hostage
- Dead bodies must be collected, examined, identified, and respectfully buried
- Fighting must be suspended in order for the dead to be recovered
The Hague Conventions
- The first conference was called the Hague Peace Convention (1899)
- Regarded combat laws, illegal weaponry, and financial concerns
- Also helped to prevent war from the beginning
Some of the rules include:
- It is illegal to misuse a white flag
- It is illegal to kill or injure a person who has surrendered
- It is illegal to attack a defenseless person or place
- It is illegal to attack a hospital