There are four Geneva Conventions, signed Aug. 12, 1949, and three additional Protocols. Note: there are many other international treaties which govern the conduct of war or establish human rights standards.) A full history and explanation of the Geneva Conventions is available at the International Committee of the Red Cross. To read more, click here.

Convention III was signed July 27, 1929 in Geneva, Switzerland. It has been the established baseline for the treatment of prisoners of war ever since, and the basis for prosecution of war criminals after conflicts have ended. The Bush administration says Convention III is vague and needs to be changed. Leading Republican senators, as well as former Secretay of State Colin Powell have mounted a strong opposition to the administration's position.

• Convention I: The protections for members of the armed forces who become wounded or sick.
• Convention II: Extends protections to wounded, sick and shipwrecked members of naval forces.
• Convention III: Lists the rights of prisoners of war.
• Convention IV: Deals with the protection of the civilian population in times of war.
• Protocol I: Extends protections to victims of wars against racist regimes and wars of self determination.
• Protocol II: Extends protections to victims of internal conflicts in which an armed opposition controls enough territory to enable them to carry out sustained military operations.
• Protocol III: Establishes the international symbol representing the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies.