eli5 How does the Geneva convention work? How can it be enforced if nations are already at war? What incentive do armies have for following it?

Question

I mean there are no referees on the battlefield.

In: 3

Answer 1

It’s the Geneva convention, not the Geneva law.

You follow it in the hopes your opponent does too. That’s it. When they stop, you can choose to continue or not, depending on how much you value your reputation in the wider world.