The Updated Commentary on the Third Geneva Convention: The Geneva Academy’s Contribution

View of Baidoa central prison in Somalia. View of Baidoa central prison in Somalia.

2 June 2020

In 2011, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and a team of renowned experts embarked on a major project: updating the Commentaries on the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977.

The updated Commentary on the Third Geneva Convention will be launched online on 16 June where an expert panel, including our Director Professor Marco Sassòli and our LLM alumna Helena Sunnegårdh, Legal Adviser with the Swedish Red Cross, will discuss the Commentary's main findings and will examine how international humanitarian law (IHL) protects prisoners of war.

Contribution by Geneva Academy’s Experts and Alumni

This publication presents, in the form of an article-by-article commentary, developments in how the Third Geneva Convention has been applied and interpreted in practice.

‘Besides my participation in the Editorial Committee of the updated Commentary, several Geneva Academy’s professors and lecturers have been involved in this exercise, including the Head of the Project Team at the ICRC, Jean-Marie-Henckaerts, Professor Gloria Gaggioli and our new Swiss IHL Chair Professor Robin Geiß’ underlines Marco Sassòli, Director of the Geneva Academy.

‘Several alumni, including Lindsey Cameron, Heleen Hiemstra, Yvette Yssar, Jemma Arman and Kvitoslava Krotiuk have also contributed to this important exercise’ he adds.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

IHL in Focus Spot Report News

Spot Report – Water Crisis in War and Under Occupation: Current Israeli Policy and Practice in Occupied Palestinian Territory Under International Humanitarian Law

16 June 2025

The Geneva Academy has published a new spot report analysing Israeli policy and practice relating to water in the Occupied Palestinian Territory through the lens of IHL.

Read more

2024 Geneva Academy Annual Report News

Our 2024 Annual Report

28 July 2025

Our 2024 Annual Report highlights significant achievements in international humanitarian law education and research during a year marked by deepening global humanitarian crises.

Read more

Computer screen with warning: civilian infrastucture: do not attack Project

The Digitalization of Armed Conflict

Started in September 2020

This project will explore humanitarian consequences and protection needs caused by the digitalization of armed conflicts and the extent to which these needs are addressed by international law, especially international humanitarian law.

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more