Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions
open-in-new
<p>Protocol II is a 1977 amendment <a href="/facts/Protocol_(diplomacy)/dvV6CNGA">protocol</a> to the <a href="/facts/Geneva_Conventions/692ICAy0">Geneva Conventions</a> relating to the protection of victims of <i>non-international</i> armed conflicts. It defines certain <a href="/facts/International_laws/WJEPeq44">international laws</a> that strive to provide better protection for victims of <i>internal</i> armed conflicts that take place within the borders of a single country. The scope of these laws is more limited than those of the rest of the Geneva Conventions out of respect for sovereign rights and duties of national governments. </p><p>As of July 2024, the Protocol had been ratified by 169 countries, with the <a href="/facts/United_States/P0sCdLe5">United States</a>, <a href="/facts/India/1kKHcnxM">India</a>, <a href="/facts/Pakistan/cbIsvJy1">Pakistan</a>, <a href="/facts/Turkey/KIYAWAs0">Turkey</a>, <a href="/facts/Iran/24yukge8">Iran</a>, <a href="/facts/Iraq/pqYSFJw8">Iraq</a>, <a href="/facts/Syria/7pDXGzq8">Syria</a>, and <a href="/facts/Israel/dEe3IcaY">Israel</a> being notable exceptions. However, the United States, Iran, and Pakistan signed it on 12 December 1977, which signifies an intention to work towards ratifying it. The Iranian signature was given prior to the <a href="/facts/1979_Iranian_revolution/frTYhJ0F">1979 Iranian Revolution</a>. </p><p>According to legal scholar and human rights attorney <a href="/facts/Noura_Erakat/TC5wVouj">Noura Erakat</a>, the Israeli non-ratification of Protocol I and II to the Geneva Conventions allows the Israeli government to recognize the <a href="/facts/Israeli%25E2%2580%2593Palestinian_conflict/JU7ynqCl">Israeli-Palestinian conflict</a> ''neither as a civil war ('non-international armed conflict,' NIAC) nor a war against a liberation movement ('international armed conflict,' IAC).'' This way, force used by Palestinian factions can be deemed illegal and illegitimate. </p>