Historical Development of Humanitarian Law

The first Geneva Convention was signed on August 22, 1864, by 12 countries.

The main purpose of the first Geneva Convention was to protect the wounded and sick in armed conflict.

There are four Geneva Conventions today: the First Geneva Convention (1864), the Second Geneva Convention (1906), the Third Geneva Convention (1929), and the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949).

The main purpose of the Second Geneva Convention is to protect the wounded and sick in armed conflict.

The main purpose of the Third Geneva Convention is to protect prisoners of war.

The main purpose of the Fourth Geneva Convention is to protect civilians in armed conflict.

The Hague Convention (IV) Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land was signed on October 18, 1907.

The main purpose of the Hague Convention (IV) Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land is to regulate the conduct of warfare on land.

The Statute of the International Criminal Court was adopted on July 17, 1998.

The main purpose of the Statute of the International Criminal Court is to establish a permanent international criminal court.

The International Criminal Court came into force on July 1, 2002.

As of March 2023, there are 123 states that are parties to the Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Italy was the first country to ratify the Statute of the International Criminal Court on September 12, 2001.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has the most nationals who have been convicted by the International Criminal Court, with a total of 10 convictions.

Kenya has the most nationals who have been acquitted by the International Criminal Court, with a total of 4 acquittals.