Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
- Briefly introduce the quote by Cicero, explaining that it suggests legal norms and frameworks are often ineffective or disregarded during times of war.
- Define the role of laws in maintaining order, justice, and protecting human rights in society.
- State that despite international laws like the Geneva Conventions and human rights laws, war often leads to violations and lack of enforcement.
2. Discuss the Concept of Laws in War
- Legal Frameworks in War: Mention key international conventions, like the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, which are designed to ensure humane conduct during conflicts.
- Limitations of Laws in War: Discuss how laws often fail in conflict zones due to the chaotic and brutal nature of war, leading to violations of human rights and civil liberties.
3. Human Rights Violations in War
- Civilians as Victims: Explain how civilians are often the most affected during wartime, with laws for their protection being ignored.
- Example: In the ongoing Gaza conflict, more than 15,000 children have been killed .
- Example: The massacre of civilians in Ukraine, especially in the early days of the conflict, where over 441 civilians were reported killed .
4. Lack of Accountability for War Crimes
- Discuss how wartime leaders and soldiers often evade responsibility for war crimes due to the breakdown of legal institutions.
- Example: International organizations like the UN often struggle to hold perpetrators accountable during ongoing conflicts due to the difficulty in accessing war zones .
- Mention historical precedents like the Nuremberg Trials, where accountability was pursued post-WWII.
5. Erosion of Civil Liberties
- Discuss how governments often use war as a justification to curtail civil liberties, compromising human rights.
- Example: In Russia, anti-war protestors were arrested, with over 15,000 detained for opposing the Ukraine conflict .
6. Military Ethics and Legal Violations
- Explain how war often forces military forces to compromise on ethical and legal standards in pursuit of military objectives.
- Example: The destruction of Marinka, a city in Ukraine, which housed civilians but was heavily bombed for military gains, reflects the breakdown of legal and ethical considerations .
7. Inadequate International Oversight
- Discuss the challenges faced by international organizations in enforcing legal norms in conflict zones.
- Example: UN agencies have been unable to effectively monitor the situation in Gaza due to restricted access and the volatile nature of the conflict .
8. Conclusion
- Emphasize the need for a stronger, more effective international legal framework that can be enforced during times of war.
- Summarize the importance of upholding laws even in conflict situations to protect human rights, maintain justice, and avoid long-term societal harm.
Relevant Facts for the Answer
- Human Rights Violations:
- Over 15,000 children killed in Gaza during the ongoing conflict.
- Over 441 civilian deaths in the early days of the Ukraine war, some potentially constituting war crimes .
- Lack of Accountability for War Crimes:
- The UN struggles with providing oversight and accountability in conflict zones such as Gaza and Ukraine due to restricted access .
- Historical example of the Nuremberg Trials after WWII that held Nazi war criminals accountable.
- Erosion of Civil Liberties:
- Over 15,000 arrests in Russia for anti-war protests related to the Ukraine conflict .
- Military Ethics and Legal Violations:
- The destruction of Marinka, Ukraine, for military gains, highlighting the sacrifice of civilian life for military objectives .
- Inadequate International Oversight:
- UN agencies face difficulties in monitoring and enforcing laws during active conflicts, such as in Gaza .
This roadmap provides a structured approach to answering the question while incorporating relevant facts to demonstrate the breakdown of legal norms during war.
Model Answer
Human Rights Violations
War often leads to significant human rights violations, where international laws protecting civilians and prisoners of war are disregarded. In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, over 15,000 children have been killed, highlighting the brutal consequences of war where legal protections are overlooked. Such violations occur despite conventions like the Geneva Conventions, which call for the protection of non-combatants.
Lack of Accountability for War Crimes
During wartime, accountability for war crimes often becomes elusive. For instance, the early days of the Ukraine war saw over 441 civilians killed by armed forces, potentially constituting war crimes, yet these acts often go unpunished due to the chaos of war and the difficulty of enforcing laws in conflict zones.
Erosion of Civil Liberties
Governments often use war as a pretext to curtail civil liberties, citing national security concerns. In Russia, more than 15,000 individuals were arrested for protesting against the war in Ukraine, a clear infringement on their right to free expression. This highlights the erosion of democratic freedoms during wartime.
Compromised Military Ethics
In war, ethical considerations are often sacrificed for military objectives. The destruction of cities like Marinka, Ukraine, where the military reduced a civilian-populated area to rubble for strategic gains, demonstrates the severe cost of prioritizing military success over moral principles .
Inadequate International Oversight
War zones are difficult for international bodies to monitor and intervene in. Agencies like the UN have faced significant challenges accessing and enforcing legal norms in Gaza, a conflict zone where humanitarian assistance and oversight are severely restricted .
Conclusion
While laws exist to regulate conduct during wartime, they are often undermined in practice. To protect human life, uphold justice, and minimize the devastating impacts of war, it is essential for international bodies to enforce these legal frameworks more effectively, even in conflict settings.