The Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions in Context

The Additional Protocols to the 1949 Geneva Conventions are a landmark in international humanitarian law, adopted in 1977 to govern the treatment and protection of those in the power of an enemy, conduct of hostilities, and non-international armed conflicts and wars of national liberation. In 2005, a third additional protocol was adopted in controversial circumstances. The Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions in Context interprets the key rules and issues of the Additional Protocols and considers their application and implementation over the past forty years, examining subjects such as the protection of women, armed non-state actors, relief operations, and prohibited weapons. It also considers whether new technologies, such as offensive cyber operations and autonomous weapons, need new treaty rules to regulate their application in armed conflict.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 04 November 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Additional Protocols to the 1949 Geneva Conventions stand as a pivotal milestone in the evolution of international humanitarian law. In 1977, the first two Additional Protocols were adopted by states, encompassing a comprehensive set of rules governing the treatment and protection of individuals held captive by an enemy, as well as the conduct of hostilities. These protocols are particularly significant in addressing non-international armed conflicts and wars of national liberation.

In 2005, a third Additional Protocol was adopted, designating an additional distinctive humanitarian emblem in controversial circumstances. The Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions in Context provides a comprehensive interpretation of the key principles and issues outlined in the Additional Protocols. This book adopts a thematic approach, examining various subjects such as the protection of women, armed non-state actors, relief operations, and the prohibition of certain weapons.

In each chapter, the book delves into the relevance of existing laws in the context of the Additional Protocols, highlighting the challenges and gaps that exist in their implementation. It also explores potential avenues for improving civilian protection, including the need for new treaty rules to regulate the application of emerging technologies, such as offensive cyber operations and autonomous weapons, in armed conflict.

By examining the Additional Protocols in their historical, legal, and practical dimensions, this book offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of international humanitarian law and its commitment to protecting the lives and dignity of individuals affected by armed conflicts. It serves as a crucial resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners seeking to understand and advance the field of humanitarian law.

Weight: 782g
Dimension: 253 x 179 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192868909