The Geneva Conventions — the world’s rules of war — are 75 years old and ignored nearly everywhere

GENEVA (AP) — The Geneva Conventions have been adopted by nearly every country since they were finalized on Aug. 12, 1949. But on their 75th anniversary, the world’s best-known rulebook on war has been widely ignored. The Conventions detail the protection of civilians, detainees and wounded soldiers in war. The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross says the world must recommit to the framework for armed conflict. The Red Cross says the Conventions are needed now more than ever: It counts more than 120 active conflicts around the world, a six-fold increase from the half-century anniversary in 1999.