Women and children, the aged and sick are highly vulnerable during armed conflict. While IHL protects all civilians without discrimination, certain groups are singled out for special mention. The Fourth Geneva Convention and Additional Protocol I specifically require belligerents to facilitate the work of the ICRC. The warring parties are required to allow access to such organizations. The protection of civilians extends to those trying to help them, in particular medical units and humanitarian or relief bodies providing essentials such as food, clothing and medical supplies. Moreover, in case of prosecution, they are entitled to a fair trial affording all essential judicial guarantees. They must be protected against all forms of violence and degrading treatment, including murder and torture. IHL provides that civilians under the power of enemy forces must be treated humanely in all circumstances, without any adverse distinction. Such protection was later reinforced with the adoption of the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Convention in 1977. The protection also included civilian property. The “civilians’ convention” recognized the changing nature of warfare and established legal protection for any person not belonging to armed forces or armed groups. The response of the international community was the Fourth Geneva Convention adopted in 1949.īefore 1949 the Geneva Conventions protected wounded, sick, shipwrecked and captured combatants. Civilians have always suffered in war, but the brutal impact of World War II, which included mass extermination, indiscriminate attacks, deportations, hostage taking, pillage and internment, took a high toll of civilian life. During World War II, and in many of the conflicts since, civilians have been the main victims of armed conflict.
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