Humanitarian Rights
Violations AndGlobal
Response
Made by
Aarushi Gupta 22102232
Akshat Nad 22102237
Avinav Sah 22102231
Priyanshu Agarwal 22102236
Sarthak Singhal 22102149
2.
Humanitarian Rights Violations
Humanitarianrights—sometimes called the “laws of war” or
International Humanitarian Law (IHL)—are the protections
and minimum guarantees afforded to people who are not (or no
longer) participating in hostilities during armed conflict. Unlike
peacetime human rights, which apply at all times, humanitarian
rights kick in specifically once an armed conflict exists and are
codified primarily in the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and
their Additional Protocols
3.
Key Examples ofHumanitarian Rights
Protection of Civilians
• Civilians may never be used as
“human shields,” and attacks
on purely civilian objects
(homes, schools, hospitals) are
prohibited.
Care for the Wounded and Sick
• Medical personnel and
facilities must be respected
and protected; medical
vehicles and supplies may not
be attacked.
Prohibition of Torture and
Inhuman Treatment
• Torture, cruel or degrading
treatment, corporal
punishment, and outrages
upon personal dignity are
strictly forbidden.
4.
WW2 Japan -Humanitarian Violations
Violations:
War Crimes: Nanjing Massacre (1937) killed 200,000+ civilians;
widespread rape and looting.
Forced Labor: Millions, including Koreans and Chinese, subjected
to forced labor.
Comfort Women: Up to 200,000 women coerced into sexual
slavery for Japanese military.
POW Abuse: Brutal treatment of Allied POWs; Bataan Death
March (1942) killed thousands.
5.
WW2 Japan -Global Political Impact
1
Post-War Order:
• Established international war crimes tribunals (Tokyo Trials), shaping modern international law.
• US occupation reformed Japan into a democratic ally, shifting Asia’s power balance.
2
Regional Tensions:
• Ongoing disputes with China, South Korea over Japan’s war apologies and
reparations.
• Fuels nationalist sentiments in East Asia.
3
Global Norms:
• Strengthened Geneva Conventions (1949) to protect civilians
and POWs.
• Set precedent for post-conflict reconciliation and accountability.
The UN system plays a pivotal role in responding to humanitarian crises, but faces ongoing challenges in ensuring compliance and delivering
effective interventions.
6.
US Invasion ofIraq (2003) -
Humanitarian Violations
Violations:
Civilian Casualties: Estimated 100,000+ civilian deaths due to
invasion and insurgency (2003-2011).
Torture and Detention: Abu Ghraib scandal revealed torture and
inhumane treatment of detainees.
Displacement: Over 4 million Iraqis displaced internally or as
refugees.
Sectarian Violence: Invasion destabilized Iraq, fueling sectarian
conflict and rise of ISIS.
7.
Global Political Impact
Erosionof US
Credibility:
• Invasion
without UN
approval
damaged US
moral
authority;
fueled anti-
American
sentiment.
• Double
standards
criticized (e.g.,
US vs. Russia in
Ukraine).
Middle East
Instability:
• Rise of ISIS and
prolonged
conflicts in
Syria, Yemen.
• Strengthened
Iran’s regional
influence post-
Saddam
International
Norms:
• Weakened UN’s
role in
preventing
unauthorized
military
interventions.
• Set precedent
for unilateral
actions,
influencing
Russia’s later
aggression.
8.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict -
HumanitarianViolations
Violations:
Civilian Attacks: Russian forces deliberately targeted civilians,
hospitals, and energy infrastructure (2022-2025).
War Crimes: Summary executions, torture, and sexual violence
documented; 510+ children killed.
Forced Deportations: Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children
forcibly transferred to Russia.
Humanitarian Crisis: Over 13 million displaced, including 8
million refugees; food and energy insecurity.
9.
Global Political Impact
GlobalCondemnation:
• UN General Assembly condemned Russia’s invasion; Western sanctions crippled Russian economy.
Energy and Food Security:
• Disrupted global energy markets, spiking prices; food insecurity worsened in Africa and Asia.
Geopolitical Realignment:
• Russia’s alignment with China and Iran; Global South critiques Western double standards.
• Weakened trust in international institutions due to inconsistent responses.
10.
Uyghur Muslims inChina -
Humanitarian Violations
Mass Detention: Over
1 million Uyghurs and
other Turkic Muslims
detained in "re-
education camps" since
2017..
Cultural Erasure: Bans
on religious practices,
destruction of
mosques, and forced
assimilation (e.g.,
outlawing Uyghur
language textbooks)
Surveillance and
Torture: Intense
surveillance, torture,
sexual violence, and
involuntary
sterilizations reported.
Forced Labor:
Detainees subjected to
forced labor in textile
and other industries.
11.
Uyghur Muslims inChina - Humanitarian Violations
Diplomatic Tensions:Western
nations (US, EU) imposed
sanctions, escalating tensions
with China.
Trade and Supply Chains:
US Uyghur Forced Labor
Prevention Act (2021) bans
imports linked to Xinjiang,
disrupting global supply chains.
International Institutions:
UN Human Rights Council
rejected debate on Xinjiang
(2022), highlighting China’s
influence.
International Institutions:
UN Human Rights Council
rejected debate on Xinjiang
(2022), highlighting China’s
influence.
12.
The Way Forward:Strengthening the
System
Enhance Accountability
Improving monitoring and investigation mechanisms to hold perpetrators of human
rights violations accountable for their actions.
Increase Cooperation
Fostering greater collaboration and information-sharing between states,
international organizations, and civil society to develop comprehensive,
coordinated responses.
Invest in Prevention
Addressing the root causes of humanitarian crises through conflict resolution,
peacebuilding, and sustainable development initiatives.
By strengthening the international system for protecting human rights, we can work
towards a future where the fundamental dignity and freedoms of all people are
safeguarded and upheld.