Description of the Geneva Convention rules of war. Do they work? How they are applied? Every country uses?

Geneva convention refers to international agreement among
most of the nations of the world providing for human treatment o civilians, prisoners
and wounded persons in war time. These agreement have been reached over a long period
starting nineteenth century. These agreements, with some reservations have been ratified
by nearly 200 nations.

The first such agreement was reached
in 1864. This agreement also provided for establishment of the Red Cross.This original
convention was accepted by all European countries, the USA, and a few other countries in
Asia and South America. Additions and amendments to Geneva conventions were made in
1906, 1929, 1949, 1977and 2005.

Geneva convention includes
provision for conduct of countries in matters such as treatment and and care of the
military personnel wounded in the field, and those shipwrecked members of armed forces
at sea. The convention also provides for protection of civilians and members armed
forces, and volunteer forces. It specifies methods to identify the dead and wounded, and
to send information to their families. It also provides for identification and
protection of medical transports.

In conferences held at
The Hague in 1899 and 1907, the laws of war, of peace, and of neutrality were collected
and embodied in 14 conventions of Geneva convention, covering subjects as the rights and
duties of neutral countries, and the peaceful settlement of international
disputes.