Can states be relied upon to protect the life and dignity of individuals during times of war?.
States cannot be relied upon to protect the life and dignity of individuals during times of war. States, distinctively in the estate of war, operate mostly to fulfill their national interest. As countries put their nation's security, independence, power, and economic profit foremost, it is unrealistic to expect states to respect the life and dignity of individuals during war times. This paper will proceed by first defining the concept of an armed conflict, and its impact on the life of civilians in our modern times. Next, it will provide the logic supporting the stated argument by employing examples from recent wars. Finally, it will conclude with asserting the need of having a coherent enforcement mechanism to comply states with the International Humanitarian Law. .
Under International Humanitarian law, international armed conflicts refer to those waged between states, or between a state and a national liberation movement in the state itself. The goal of International Humanitarian Law is to humanize individuals involved in those conflicts, in efforts to minimize the human suffering and negative outcomes of wars. However, notwithstanding the adoption by most countries of the Geneva Conventions and treaties related to IHL, crimes of war arise in every conflict around the world on a regular basis. Recent conflicts have confirmed that the devastations of war continue to have a destructive impact especially on the civilian population. According to the United Nation's statistics, 80 to 90 percent of war victims are estimated to be civilians. This high percentage proves that states have usually been indifferent about protecting the life and dignity of individuals during times of war. .
States wage wars mainly to assure their security, independence and power, or to pursue their political and economic interest.
