Why are mercury tipped bullets a hanging offence by geneva convention?

You don't need mercury in a bullett to take someone or something out, but it helps. Why then if you use a mercury tipped bullett, your breaking the geneva convention and could get hung in Europe instead of getting life. How is this fair?

because its more likely that a bullet wound can be treated by a medic or surgeon, but a mercury tipped bullet poisons the bloodstream, its the same as using nuclear/biological/chemical weapons, all outlawed by the geneva convention.as far as the 50 cal goes, you can't shoot it at a person, but you can shoot it at his equipment, and a soldier wears a lot of equipment.

The geneva convention has some stupid rules regarding warfare. It's illegal for somebody in war to shoot a person with a 50 cal, you have to use your M-16. I'm sorry but if I'm stuck and and manning a 50 cal, Im not going to reach for my rifle if somebody is charging me with an AK.

I don't know the reason behind the hanging part. However mecury tipped bullets would be a significant environmental threat. However I don't think they hang people for breaking enviromental laws.

Follow Up-I did research on it, it's considered chemical warfare.

The mercury isnt just the tip but fills a hollow void. This with not just deform like a normal bullet but it will 'explode'. I don't mean like firy but it will completely tear up the insides of someone. This is illegal because it is excessive like napalm and incindiary rounds.

everyone basically answered this already, but
Mercury is extremly bad for the human body and
is considered a biological weapon.

mercury, if it gets into your blood stream it will make you very sick, suffer, etc. and it also is worse than killing just 1 person because sharp metal and mercury flying through the air can hit anyone and kill, or sicken them.