The First Geneva Convention (1864):
Addressed the principle of fair and humane treatment to the wounded and sick military personnel in land war.
This Convention establishes humanitarian principles for the protection of the wounded and sick in the armed forces in the field, as well as military and Red Cross doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, and chaplains. Hospitals sheltering the wounded and sick, vehicles transporting them, and medical equipment must also be protected.
The Second Geneva Convention (1907):
This convention extends the humanitarian principles of the First Convention to the care of the wounded,sick, and shipwrecked members of the armed forces at sea.
The Third Geneva Convention (1929):
Provided for the proctection of prisoners of war. Military personnel and auxilliaries who are captured or who surrender must have their lives spared and be provided with adequate food, clothing, housing, and medical care. The seriously ill must be repatriated. The names of the prisoners of war must be sent immediately to a Central Prisoner of War Information Agency (traditionally operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross), and the prisoners must be allowed to correspond with their families and to receive relief parcels.
The Fourth Geneva Convention (1949):
The three existing Conventions were revised, and a Fourth was added:
This Convention sets forth principles for the protection of civilians in time of war, in particular those in occupied territory, with special care for the wounded and sick, women and children, and the aged. Civilian population in occupied territory must, insofar as circumstances permit, be enabled to live in a normal manner.
Two additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 were adopted by the Diplomatic Conference of Governments in 1977:
The first reaffirms and expands the rule or the protection of war victims, especially the civilian population; the second supplements and develops the rule of protection of victims of non-international armed conflict.
The Conventions shall apply in all cases of war or armed conflict, even if a state of war is not recognized by one of the belligerents. Persons taking no active part in the hostilities or those placed hors de combat (out of combat) by sickness, wounds, detention, or for any other cause, shall, in all circumstances, be treated humanely, without distinction as to race, color, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.
Violence to life and person, the taking of hostages, and outrages on personal dignity are strictly forbidden.