The Development of IHL

1859 1899- 1907

The Battle of 1863 1864 III and X Hague
Solferino Lieber Code Geneva Convention Conventions

A Swiss businessman, Henry Military code issued by President Regulations adopted respecting
Dunant, witnesses the suffering of Lincoln to United States armies International treaty for care of
laws and customs of war on land.
thousands left to die on the fighting in the American Civil War. wounded and sick soldiers on the
battlefield It requires the humane treatment battlefield adopted by Principles of the 1864 Geneva
and protection of civilians, governments. Convention adapted to maritime
prisoners, and enemy wounded. warfare.
Protection granted for medical
workers to provide humanitarian
care.
1972 1954
Biological Weapons Cultural Property 1949 1925
Convention Convention Geneva Conventions Geneva Gas Protocol

Prohibits the development, Prohibits acts of hostility against Geneva Convention I (wounded Protocol for the Prohibition of the
production, acquisition, cultural property and requires and sick) Use in War of Asphyxiating,
stockpiling, or transfer of parties to refrain from using Geneva Convention II Poisonous or Other Gases and of
biological weapons. cultural property in a manner likely (shipwrecked) Bacteriological Methods of
to expose it to destruction of Geneva Convention III Warfare.
Requires the destruction of (POWs) Prohibits the use of biological and
damage in armed conflict.
all biological weapons. Geneva Convention IV chemical weapons.
Requires parties to prevent the (Civilians)
pillage, theft, or vandalism of
cultural property.
 1980
Convention on Certain 1995
1977 Conventional Protocol on Blinding 1997
Additional Protocols Weapons Laser Weapons Ottawa Treaty

Protocol I - Relating “…Which May be Deemed to Be Prohibits the use and transfer of Convention on the Prohibition of
to the Protection of Victims of Excessively Injurious or to Have laser weapons specifically the Use, Stockpiling, Production
International Armed Conflicts Indiscriminate Effects” designed to cause permanent and or Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Protocol II - Relating to the Aims to protect military troops from blindness. Mines and Their Destruction
Protection of Victims of Non inhumane injuries and prevent
Requires State Parties to destroy
International Armed Conflicts noncombatants from accidentally
or ensure the destruction of anti-
being wounded or killed by certain
personnel landmines.
types of arms. 2000
Optional Protocol on
2014 2008 the involvement of 1998
Arms Trade Treaty Cluster Munitions children in armed Rome Statute
conflict

Regulates the international Convention on Cluster Munitions Optional Protocol to the Establishes a permanent
trade in conventional Prohibits the use, development, Convention on the Rights of the international criminal tribunal in
weapons. production, acquisition, Child. The Hague, the International
Obligates member states to stockpiling, or transfer of Criminal Court (ICC).
monitor arms exports and munitions that release explosive Members of armed forces who
fragments. have not attained the age of 18 Grants the court authority to hear
ensure that weapons don't
years cannot take a direct part in cases of war crimes, crimes
cross existing arms
hostilities. against humanity, genocide, and
embargoes or end up being
aggression referred to it by the
used for human-rights Armed groups distinct from the U.N. Security Council or
abuses, including terrorism. armed forces of a state should not committed in the territory, or by
recruit or use in hostilities persons nationals, of member nations.
under the age of 18 years

The Development of IHL