India and the Geneva Convention Protocols

Protocols A G Noorani IN its Final Declaration of September 1, 1993, the International Conference for the Protection of War Victims earnestly urged all states to become parties inter alia to the two additional Protocols of June 8,1977 to the four Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949. India ratified the Conventions. It steadfastly refuses to ratify the Protocols. 185 states have ratified the Conventions, 148 states have ratified Protocol I relating to protection of victims of international armed conflicts; 140 states have ratified Protocol II relating to protection of victims of 'non- international armed conflicts'. Only 40 have made Declarations under Article 90 of Protocol I.