Stronger Respect for International Humanitarian Law Needed: NGO Action Required.
Featured Image: Foto de Pavel Danilyuk: https://www.pexels.com/es-es/foto/estatuilla-burocracia-ley-firma-8112193/
The carnage in the Ukraine conflict and the continued actions by ethnic militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo has highlighted the fact that the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are not bedside reading for many people, even those engaged in war. There are too many warlords whose only claim to the charisma of leadership is the ruthlessness with which they wield the gun.
Geneva Convention.
Since the adoption of the first Geneva Convention in 1864, international humanitarian law has evolved in stages resulting from the evolution of methods of warfare and the changing nature of armed conflicts. Since the adoption of the four Geneva Conventions for the protection of war victims in 1949, the nature of armed conflicts has changed considerably, especially by the increased number of armed conflicts within a State. It is currently estimated that there are 120 ethnic militias active in the eastern area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are many cases in the country of cruel and degrading treatment of persons, enforced disappearances and arbitrary executions.
Image: Movement militiamen M23 and Type 85 heavy machine gun. By Al Jazeera English, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Increasing Tensions and Danger of Violence.
Men were killed and women divided among the victors.
I had participated in an International Committee of the Red Cross study group during the Nigeria-Biafra War (1967-1970). The aim of the study group was to see if there were traditional African values and practices which could be relied upon for better treatment of war prisoners and civilians. There were no such practices. Traditionally, men were killed and women divided among the victors. The only exceptions were conflicts within a clan. In chronic conflicts, there were techniques of symbolic or material restitution and ceremonies of reconciliation. Thus our study group had recommended the need for clear universal standards which can be applied in all cultures and in all types of conflicts.
Soldiers have a tendency to shoot first and read later.
Nevertheless, there have always been problems of the application of international humanitarian law. Soldiers have a tendency to shoot first and read later. Many people do not know that international humanitarian law exists and that they are bound by its norms. Thus, there is a need for greater dissemination of information through education and training to create a climate conducive to the observation of internationally recognized norms. Such educational and training activities can be usefully undertaken by non-governmental organizations – an urgent need.
Image: Ukrainian diaspora in Brussels protests the Russian invasion, Processed with VSCO with acg preset. By Bartosz Brzezinski from Chicago, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.
Upholding International Humanitarian Law in Times of Armed Conflict: A World Citizen Appeal.
René Wadlow, President, Association of World Citizens.
President, Association of World Citizens (AWC).
Estudied International relations in The University of Chicago.
Estudied Special Program in European Civilization en Princeton University
Here are other publications that may be of interest to you.
Alternatives to War: Renewal and Impact.
Featured Image: Ukrainian T-72AV with a white cross during the 2022 Ukrainian Kharkiv counteroffensive. By Mil.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. One year into the Russia-Ukraine War, one…
Education in Tibet.
Featured Image: Foto de 和 平 en Unsplash. 17 Feb 2023 – Three United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteurs have recently highlighted the quality and methods of education of Tibetan students. Farida…
United Nations Appeal to Facilitate Aid to Syria by Removing Sanctions.
Featured Image Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels. On 10 February 2023, Special Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council made an urgent Appeal to facilitate aid to Syria by removing…
Kuan Yin : She who harkens to the cries of the world Wise in using skilful means, She manifests her countless form.
Photo by xiaochi1989 in Pixabay By Rene Wadlow. May all living beings recognise others as part of the same family; and so develop kindness towards all. May we contribute to peace…
The Use of Child Soldiers: The Children of Conflict.
Featured Image: A child soldier of the Liberian rebel group LURD at the Po River (2004). By United States Army Africa, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. 12 February is the…
When will we meet again?
Featured Image: Picture By Boris Ulzibat: https://www.pexels.com/es-es/foto/arquitectura-china-la-gran-muralla-china-lugares-de-interes-3262994/ In an article “Tensions in the Asian Trinity: China, Japan, U.S.A.” I noted that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was to visit Beijine…
Reconciliation in Africa: A Vital Need.
Featured Image: USAID has integrated reconciliation and trauma healing into peace building. This has helped communities moveout of the cycle of violence and revenge.Photo credit: Pact/Aernout Zevenbergen. By USAID in…
Biodiversity: A Pledge, Now Action.
Featured Image: Photo by Jeevan Katel on Unsplash. In the early hours of 19 December 2022, the delegates to the U. N. Convention on Biodiversity (COP 15) reached an agreement…
Ongoing Armed Conflicts and the Need for Stronger Track Two Efforts.
Featured Image: Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash. The continuing armed conflict in Ukraine and the likelihood that the conflict will drag on through the winter, the 11th…
U.N. Human Rights Council Focus on Iran.
Featured Image: Ebrahim Raisi By Nasim Online, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. On 24 November 2022, the United Nations Human Rights Council held a Special Session on the…