The Geneva Conventions are a series of international treaties that establish the humanitarian rules of war. The treaties were first adopted in 1864 and have since been updated and expanded to cover a range of armed conflicts, including internal conflicts and conflicts between states. The Geneva Conventions also provide for the protection of civilians, wounded and sick combatants, and prisoners of war.
Unlike the New York Convention Awards which deal with the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, the Geneva Conventions do not provide for any awards as such. Instead, they establish a framework for the protection of victims of armed conflict and for the conduct of hostilities. Under the Geneva Conventions, parties to a conflict are required to respect the basic rights of civilians, wounded and sick combatants, and prisoners of war.
The Geneva Conventions provide for the following types of awards or recognition:
- Prisoner of War (POW) Status: The Geneva Conventions provide for the recognition and treatment of prisoners of war. Prisoners of war are entitled to certain rights and protections under the Conventions, such as humane treatment, access to medical care, and communication with their families.
- The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: The Geneva Conventions recognize the important role played by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in providing humanitarian assistance to victims of armed conflict.
- War Crimes: The Geneva Conventions provide for the recognition and prosecution of war crimes, including the deliberate targeting of civilians, the use of prohibited weapons, and the mistreatment of prisoners of war.
