Fourth Geneva Convention

The close of a four-month conference

On 12 August 1949 a diplomatic conference meeting in Geneva concluded its work and adopted four revised or new Geneva Conventions, among them the Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War — the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The conference had sat since 21 April with representatives of 63 governments. Sixty delegations signed its Final Act on the closing day, though the Final Act itself had no force of law.

Eighteen states signed the Fourth Convention itself that day. Other governments could sign until 12 February 1950, and ratification was required after that.

What the text covers

The agreed text protected civilians in enemy hands and in occupied territory, prohibited specified abuses and established duties for occupying powers. It also carried Common Article 3, the minimum rules for non-international armed conflicts shared across all four conventions.

Article 33 prohibits collective penalties, intimidation, terrorism, pillage and reprisals. The Convention explicitly prohibited an occupying power from transferring parts of its own civilian population into occupied territory.

Fourteen months from text to law

Governments left Geneva with an agreed, authoritative text open for signature and ratification — but not one yet in force. Only two ratifications were needed to start a six-month countdown.

The Convention became effective on 21 October 1950. It now has 196 contracting parties.