Geneva Convention
Any of a series of international treaties concluded in Geneva, Switz., between 1864 and 1949, for the purpose of ameliorating the effects of war on soldiers and civilians.
The history of the conventions is closely associated with that of the Red Cross, whose founder, Henri Dunant, initiated international negotiations establishing in 1864 the Convention for the Amelioration of the Wounded in Time of War. This provided for (1) the immunity from capture and destruction of all establishments for the treatment of wounded and sick soldiers and their personnel, (2) the impartial reception and treatment of all combatants, (3) the protection of civilians rendering aid to the wounded, and (4) recognition of the Red Cross symbol as a means of identifying persons and equipment covered by the agreement