Geneva Conventions turn 60

[bemildred]

Source: al Jazeera

On August 12, 1949, in the aftermath of one of the most devastating conflicts the world had ever seen, something extraordinary happened.

Representatives of 64 countries, some of which had been at war with each other just four years earlier, came together in Geneva and signed an international agreement to protect those caught in conflict.

The four Geneva Conventions have become the foundation of today's laws of war, providing protection for wounded members of armed forces in the field and at sea, prisoners of war and civilians.

More countries have signed up to the Conventions than there are member states of the United Nations.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/08/200981...

[kirby]

1. Too bad we gave it up at 52 years n/t

[Betsy Ross]

6. My thought too.

But we do commemorate the birth dates of dead people, so why not the Geneva Convention.

[Solly Mack]

2. Happy Birthday

sigh

[peace13]

3. Aaaa... I think we gave up on that several years ago.

Unless Obama stands up to the * Administration we, here in America , can quit counting.

[SpiralHawk]

4. "Screw that shit. Sneer." - xVP Dickie 'Five-Military-Deferments' Cheney (R)

"We Republicon Homelander Cronies don't do legal, honest, or honorable. F*ck those law-abiding do-goodies. Sneer."

- xVP Dickie 'Five-Military-Deferments' Cheney (R)

[dflprincess]

5. Actually, it's the anniversay of the 3rd Geneva Conventions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Conventions

In 1862, Henri Dunant published his book, Memoir of Solferino, on the horrors of war.<2> His wartime experiences inspired Dunant to propose (1) a permanent relief agency for humanitarian aid in times of war, and (2) a government treaty recognizing the neutrality of the agency and allowing it to provide aid in a war zone. The former proposal led to the establishment of the Red Cross. The latter led to the First Geneva Convention. For both of these accomplishments, Henri Dunant became corecipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.<3>, <4>

The ten articles of this first treaty were initially adopted in 1864 by twelve nations.<5> Clara Barton was instrumental in campaigning for the ratification of the First Geneva Convention by the United States, which eventually ratified it in 1882.<6>

The second treaty was first adopted in 1906 and specifically addressed members of the Armed Forces at sea. The third treaty was first adopted in 1929 to deal with the protection of prisoners of war. The fourth treaty was inspired by the war criminals of the Nuremburg Trials and first adopted in 1949. It reaffirmed the prior three treaties and added many new terms, including the protection of civilians during wartime.

Despite the length of these documents, they were found over time to be incomplete. In 1977, two protocols were adopted that extended the terms of the 1949 treaty with additional protections. In 2005, a third brief protocol was added establishing an additional protective sign for medical services, as an alternative to the ubiquitous Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, for those countries that find them objectionable.

[kickysnana]

7. Must be a female, marginalized and ignored after 50 n/t