The Red Cross, a humanitarian organization, called on nations around the world to recommit themselves to the Geneva Conventions, which set standards for the humane treatment of war victims, on the anniversary of the conventions.

“International humanitarian law is being strained, disregarded and undermined to justify violence,” International Committee of the Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric told the Associated Press (AP) on Monday.

“The world must recommit to this robust framework for protecting armed conflict, based on the premise of protecting life rather than justifying death,” she added.

Monday, August 12, marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Conventions. The International Committee of the Red Cross described the Geneva Conventions as “international treaties containing the most important rules for limiting the barbarity of war. They protect people who are not taking part in the fighting (civilians, medical personnel, relief workers) and those who can no longer fight (wounded, sick and shipwrecked soldiers, prisoners of war).”

The conventions were later adopted by almost all countries around the world, but they are currently facing problems related to the ongoing wars between Israel and Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip and between Russia and Ukraine.

The conventions date back to the 19th century and are intended to establish rules for warfare, prohibit torture and sexual violence, ensure humane treatment of prisoners and prescribe the search for missing persons.

Speaking at the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, Spoljaric said the Geneva Conventions “reflect a global consensus that every war has limits,” adding that “the dehumanization of both enemy combatants and civilians is a path to ruin and catastrophe.”

According to AP, the Red Cross argues that the conventions are more important today than ever, pointing to over 120 active conflicts worldwide – a six-fold increase since the 50th anniversary in 1999.

Today, many countries and combatants are exploiting loopholes in international humanitarian law or interpreting it to suit their own purposes. As a result, hospitals, schools and ambulances are targeted, aid workers and civilians are killed, and some countries are denying access to prisoners.

“While governments and media focus on the destruction in Ukraine and Gaza, armed conflict elsewhere is taking an equally shocking toll. Violence in Ethiopia has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives,” Spoljaric said. “Fighting has displaced 8 million people in Sudan and 6 million in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Protracted conflicts in Mali, the Central African Republic, Colombia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Syria and Yemen are all taking a shocking human toll.”

She added: “When parties to conflict are allowed to devalue human life on the basis of nationality, race, religion or political opinion, the foundation of international humanitarian law – our common humanity – collapses.”