Protocol I

Protocol I is a 1977 amendment protocol to the Geneva Conventions relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts. It reaffirms the international laws of the original Geneva Conventions of 1949, but adds clarifications and new provisions to accommodate developments in modern international warfare that have taken place since the Second World War.

As of 11 May 2011, it had been ratified by 170 countries,[1] with the United States, Israel, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey being notable exceptions. However, the United States, Iran, and Pakistan signed it on 12 December 1977 with the intention of ratifying it. According to an appeal by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1997, a number of the articles contained in both protocols are recognized as rules of customary international law valid for all states, whether or not they have ratified them.[2]

Contents

Summary of Provisions

Protocol I is an extensive document, containing 102 articles. Following is a basic overview of the protocol.[3] For a comprehensive listing of all provisions, consult the original text[4] and the commentary.[5] In general, the protocol reaffirms the provisions of the original four Geneva Conventions. However, the following additional protections are added.

See also

References

External links