[WORKSHOP] TWO DAYS NATIONAL ONLINE WORKSHOP AT DSNLU ON IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

WORKSHOP

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a part of the Law of Nations that is inspired by considerations of humanity. It is the body of principles and rules applicable in times of armed conflict with a view to protect people who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities. Its central purpose is to limit and prevent human suffering in times of armed conflict.

In today’s world, this law assumes considerable importance in view of proliferation of armed conflict and the need to protect countless people affected by them. In the midst of devastation, destruction, carnage and massacre, it is this law alone that makes an attempt to ensure respect to fundamental norms of humanity by obliging parties to such conflicts to spare persons not participating in hostile action and to take care of starved, homeless, wounded and sick. It is generally accepted that a large portion of IHL principles reflect customary international law and, in some cases, peremptory norms (jus cogens) from which no derogation is permitted. As such, it is binding on all States, irrespective of whether they have acceded to the relevant treaties of IHL. International Humanitarian Law is not only applicable and relevant to international conflicts for which it was initially developed, but also to those that are non-international in character. As a matter of fact, today the majority of armed conflicts are non international. They often result into complete failure in protection of people affected by such situations. Increasingly innocent civilians are deliberately targeted in the course of violent confrontations between opposing forces.

It is estimated that civilian casualties range between 13% – 87 % in today’s armed conflicts. During the past few decades, the nature of armed conflict has dramatically changed. Besides, technological developments are being used and further explored for novel and deadlier means of warfare. As a result, there is a need for further development of IHL to address contemporary challenges. International law is never static and slowly but steadily it gathers dynamism to adapt to the changing needs of the day.