1949 Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War

Summary Information
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Additional Annexes	1949-Geneva-Convention-IV-Annex-III.pdf
Full Title	1949 Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
Short Title / Abbreviations	1949 Geneva Convention IV/Geneva IV/Fourth Geneva Convention
CIL Subject Classification	International Law Documents Human Rights
Citations to Text	75 UNTS 287, 6 UST 3516
Date of Adoption	12/08/1949
Date of Adoption Comment	Adopted at the Diplomatic Conference held at Geneva from April 21 to August 12, 1949.
Place of Adoption	Geneva, Switzerland at the Diplomatic Conference of Geneva of 1949
Dispute settlement provisions	“Article 149: At the request of a Party to the conflict, an enquiry shall be instituted, in a manner to be decided between the interested Parties, concerning any alleged violation of the Convention. If agreement has not been reached concerning the procedure for the enquiry, the Parties should agree on the choice of an umpire who will decide upon the procedure to be followed. Once the violation has been established, the Parties to the conflict shall put an end to it and shall repress it with the least possible delay.”
Depository	Swiss Federal Council
Annexes	Annex I: Draft agreement relating to hospital and safety zones and localities Annex II: Draft regulations concerning collective relief Annex III I. Internment card II. Letter III. Correspondence card
Entry Into Force Status	In Force
Source	Swiss Foreign Ministry
Date of Entry into Force	21/10/1950
Entry into Force / Termination Provisions	“Article 153: The present Convention shall come into force six months after not less than two instruments of ratification have been deposited. Thereafter, it shall come into force for each High Contracting Party six months after the deposit of the instrument of ratification.”
General Status	196 Parties (as of 30/08/2023)
Links to Current Status/Reservations	Swiss Foreign Ministry (in French only) United Nations Treaty Collection
Status
ASEAN States
Brunei Darussalam	Accession 14/10/1991
Cambodia	Accession 08/12/1958
Indonesia	Accession 30/09/1958
Lao PDR	Accession 29/10/1956
Malaysia	Accession 24/08/1962
Myanmar	Accession 25/08/1992
Philippines	Signature 08/12/1949 Ratification 06/10/1952
Singapore	Accession 27/04/1973
Thailand	Accession 29/12/1954
Vietnam	Accession 28/06/1957 Reservation 28/06/1957
Related Instruments
Protocols / Amendments to this instrument	2005 Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem 1993 Amendment to Annex I to Protocol Additional I to the Geneva Conventions of 1949: Regulations concerning identification 1977 Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts 1977 Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts
Related Instruments	1899 Convention (II) with Respect to the Laws and Customs of War on Land 1907 Convention (IV) Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land 1949 Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field 1949 Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea 1949 Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War
External Links	Swiss Foreign Ministry accessed on 30/08/2023 International Committee of the Red Cross accessed on 30/08/2023
Additional Information	Full texts of the Geneva Conventions and their Commentaries can also be accessed at https://www.icrc.org/en/war-and-law/treaties-customary-law/geneva-conventions