American legal expert Kenneth Roth argues that international humanitarian law is crucial for addressing violations and atrocities in Gaza, Sudan, and other conflict areas despite its significant challenges.
Kenneth Roth, a former director of Human Rights Watch, emphasizes the importance of international humanitarian law in light of recent violations taking place in Gaza and Sudan, as well as in Ukraine and beyond. In a commentary published in The Guardian, Roth references a comprehensive study on current armed conflicts, suggesting that humanitarian law is not facing an existential threat but has reached a critical point of collapse. Roth’s analysis highlights the precarious state of legal frameworks intended to protect civilians in war zones.
Roth draws attention to the alarming levels of violence in conflicts such as those in Gaza and Sudan, where the situation has deteriorated to the point of potential genocide. He discusses how effective responses to attacks on civilians vary significantly, underscoring the importance of continued advocacy for humanitarian law. Roth believes it is premature to declare the demise of international humanitarian law given the varied reactions from the global community towards civilian targeting during armed conflicts.
His reflections raise pressing questions about how international humanitarian law can adapt to ongoing challenges and the implications for civilians caught in the crossfire of modern warfare. Roth’s arguments urge for a renewed commitment to uphold international standards in war, stressing that the responses to violations can shape the future of humanitarian protections worldwide.
