IRRC No. 50

Implementation and Dissemination of the Geneva Conventions

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Abstract
In 1957, at the time of the XIXth International Conference of the Red Cross (New Delhi), 69 States were parties to the Geneva Conventions of 12th August 1949, which they had ratified or to which they had acceded. On December 31st 1964, 100 States were formally bound by these Conventions, 87 following ratification or accession and 13 by a formal declaration of continuity (in respect of ratification by the sovereign Power of their territory prior to independence). Other recently independent States can be considered as bound for the same reason, even if they have not addressed a declaration of continuity to the Swiss Federal Council, which is responsible for the Conventions. It is none the less desirable that they should make this declaration or, if they prefer, deposit new instruments of accession in due form.

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