International Humanitarian Law

The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, the two Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005, form the basis of international humanitarian law.
The first codes of conduct meant to be observed by anyone engaging in hostilities were adopted at The Hague on the occasion of the diplomatic conferences of 1899 and 1907. Of the 15 Conventions that currently constitute Hague Law—still in effect and binding for all signatories—those concerning the laws and rules of ground warfare, the protection of shipwrecked personnel in wartime, and the rights and duties of powers and of neutral parties should be mentioned.
Every government in the world has agreed to the four conventions.

The Geneva Conventions protect, first and foremost, persons who do not participate or no longer participate in an armed conflict, meaning civilians and prisoners. Those who find themselves caught up in the violence of one of the parties in conflict always have the right to respect for their lives and physical and psychological well-being.
These Conventions oblige signatories commit to treat friends and enemies without distinction, and respect human beings, the dignity of women, family law, customs and religious convictions; they prohibit inhuman or degrading treatment, the taking of hostages, mass-killing, torture, summary executions, sacking, acts of violence and the indiscriminate destruction of private property.
The delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross are authorised to inspect prisoner of war camps and meet with prisoners without witnesses.

The Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols:

• The 1st and 2nd Geneva Conventions of 1949 oblige signatories to protect the wounded, sick and shipwrecked, medical personnel, ambulances and hospitals. The parties in conflict must ensure their treatment and assistance. 
• The 3rd Geneva Convention contains rules on the treatment of prisoners of war. 
• The 4th Geneva Convention protects civilians held by enemies or in occupied territories against mistreatment and violence. 
• The 1st Additional Protocol of 1977 completes the 4th Geneva Convention for international armed conflicts and contains rules of engagement such as prohibiting attacks on civilian persons or property and limitations on authorised means and methods. 
• The 2nd Additional Protocol of 1977 regards the protection of victims of non-international conflicts.

Finally, as a result of more recent events involving acts of violence against Red Cross and Red Crescent facilities, a 3rd Additional Protocol was adopted calling for the use by international humanitarian organizations of a symbol that cannot be associated or confused with any religious denomination—the emblem of the Red Crystal was introduced in December 2005. Since January 2007 the new symbol has been used in conjunction with the Red Cross and red Crescent to signal persons or property to be protected.

Sixty years after the Geneva Convention the basic underlying principles of international humanitarian law continue to be violated in armed conflict. Its legal framework is also having to confront international challenges such as the proliferation of non-State armed groups, some of which refuse to recognize the very existence of international humanitarian law; the asymmetrical nature of contemporary armed conflicts, which accentuates the differences between parties in terms of technological and military capacities; the growing difficulty in distinguishing between combatants and civilians in military operations; and the outsourcing of military activities to private companies.

While recognising that international humanitarian law must adapt to these new challenges, we remain convinced that the principles of Geneva continue to represent the fundamental and inalienable basis for protecting combatants, prisoners and civilian populations in theatres of war.

Italy has a solid humanitarian tradition, having ratified all the conventions and protocols, and has a long history of collaboration with the International Red Cross Movement. This collaboration takes place on various levels, from institutional collaboration with the Italian Red Cross (CRI) to cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) through annual contributions (Italy is one of the top 10 contributors) and by responding to individual emergency appeals in cases of armed conflict and internal tensions.

Italy also collaborates with the San Remo International Institute of Humanitarian Law, one of the most important International training centres in the sector.