Introduction: The Development and Significance of the Additional Protocols

Subject(s):

Armed conflict — Geneva Conventions 1949 — Geneva Conventions 1949 Additional Protocol 1 — Geneva Conventions 1949 Additional Protocol 2 — Humanitarian intervention

This chapter introduces the two 1977 Additional Protocols to the four Geneva Conventions, which remain a landmark in the development of the law of armed conflict. It identifies the first two Additional Protocols as being significant on the law governing the hostilities on law and air. Meanwhile, the third Additional Protocol sought to resolve long-standing concerns over the proliferation of protective symbols for neutral and impartial humanitarian relief agencies and operations. In the 1970s, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Switzerland Government were instrumental in promoting the progressive development of international humanitarian law (IHL). The chapter suggests taking a thematic approach to the scope of application of the three Additional Protocols.