General Principles of the Four Geneva Conventions and Treatment of Prisoners of War: An Appraisal

The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 form the core of International Humanitarian Law, establishing standards for humane treatment during armed conflicts. Their general principles are built on distinction, proportionality, military necessity and humanity. Across all four conventions, the central aim of this work is to limit suffering in war by setting binding obligations on parties to a conflict, and that compliance is monitored by pretending power and the International Committee of the Red Cross.