75 years of the Geneva Conventions: From grey areas to new technological frontiers in contemporary conflicts.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13939879
Keywords:
International Humanitarian Law, Geneva Conventions, grey areas, modern warfare, armed conflictsAbstract
The Geneva Conventions, which have formed the foundation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) for 75 years, are increasingly challenged by the asymmetric nature of modern conflicts and the growing use of new technologies such as drones and cyberweapons. This article explores how these innovations complicate the application of fundamental IHL principles like distinction and proportionality, particularly in hybrid conflicts, exemplified by the Russia-Ukraine war. The difficulty of applying humanitarian norms to non-state armed groups and the recurring violations in Middle Eastern conflicts, such as those in Syria and Yemen, underscore the urgent need to revise and adapt IHL to the new realities of warfare. Based on these case studies, it is argued that the protection of civilians must remain central to the Geneva Conventions, but there is a need to strengthen monitoring and accountability mechanisms and establish clearer guidelines to regulate emerging technologies on the battlefield, ensuring the continued relevance of IHL in the years to come.
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