HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES
PRESENTATION BY:
Mahin Arif
Ahmad Yar
Muhammad Aun Raza
Saad Ullah Faiz
Course Instructer: Ma’am Rabia Farooq
Human Rights And Armed Conflicts:
Connection, History and Real-World Impacts
Connection And Background
Connection:
• Armed conflicts often result in severe
human rights violations (e.g., loss of life,
displacement).
• Violations of rights can also trigger conflicts
(e.g., marginalization).
Historical Context:
• Geneva Conventions (1864, 1949):
Protection during wars.
• Post-World War II: Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (1948).
Key Human Rights & Examples
Rights Affected:
• Right to life, freedom from torture,
protection of women and children, access
to education, displacement.
Examples:
1. Rwandan Genocide: 800,000+ killed.
2. Syrian Civil War: Mass displacement,
chemical attacks.
3.Ukraine Conflict: Civilian targeting, war
crimes.
4. Israel- Palestine War: Hundreds of
thousands of people martyred and
displaced.
Role of International Bodies &
Challenges
International Efforts:
•United Nations: Humanitarian aid and peacekeeping.
•International Criminal Court (ICC): Prosecution of war crimes.
•NGOs (e.g., Amnesty International): Advocacy and
documentation.
Challenges:
•Lack of accountability.
•Political interference.
•Refugee crises and modern warfare technology.
Need For:
Armed conflicts deeply harm human rights.
• Need for stronger enforcement of international law.
• Importance of media, advocacy and global
cooperation.
“Peace and human rights are two sides of the same
coin.”
By: Kofi Annan, Former Secretary General of United
Nations.
The Fragility of Humanity : Safeguarding Civilians in Armed
Conflicts Through International Humanitarian Law
”A Commitment to Justice and Humanity”
The Urgency of Protecting Civilians
Civilian casualties are increasing in modern conflicts.
Wars are fought in cities, with civilians directly in
harm's way.
The need for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is
more urgent than ever
Civilian casualties over the years
70000
60000
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
2023 2024 2025
Column1 Column2
What is International Humanitarian
Law (IHL)?
Definition:
A set of rules limiting the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian
reasons.
Key Elements:
Protects those not participating in hostilities (civilians, medical
personnel).
Restricts means and methods of warfare.
Core Treaties:
Geneva Conventions (1949)
Hague Conventions
Protection of Civilians: Legal
Provisions
Civilians
Medical personnel
Humanitarian workers
Displaced persons
A Call to Action
• Prevention: Conflict resolution and early warning systems.
• Accountability: Strengthening international courts.
• Education: Awareness programs for combatants and civilians.
• Technology: Using AI and satellite imagery for monitoring
violations.
• Global Cooperation: Unified efforts to enforce IHL.
Humanity in the shadows of War,
Crimes and Genocide
“An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Martin Luther King
Jr.
Wars, Crimes, and Genocides are not just stories of loss but warnings to
humanity. They challenge our conscience and demand action.
• Key Themes:
o What happens to human rights during conflicts?
o How can we ensure dignity for victims of these tragedies?
o What lessons can we learn to stop history from repeating?
Human Rights During War
• Point 1: Islam’s Teachings on War
o The Quran says: “Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed,
Allah does not like transgressors.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:190)
o Islam strictly prohibits harm to innocents, destruction of crops, and abuse of prisoners of war.
• Point 2: The Fallacy of “Everything is Fair in Love and War”
o Using this idea to justify cruelty undermines humanity.
o Example: The devastating impact of the Iraq war—millions of civilians displaced and generations
traumatized by violence.
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” — Albert Einstein
Human Rights And Crimes
• Point 1: Justice Over Revenge
o When justice is denied, crimes become inevitable. Human rights demand fair treatment
for victims and accountability for perpetrators.
• Point 2: Society’s Role
o Every voice matters. Communities must push for education, awareness, and support for
victims to prevent crimes.
• Example: Malala Yousafzai’s fight for girls’ education—an act of defiance against
oppressive forces.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Genocides- A Crime against Humanity
• Point 1: What History Teaches Us
o Genocides like the Holocaust and the Rwandan massacre remind us how hatred and
dehumanization lead to unimaginable suffering.
o Example: The Rohingya crisis—a minority stripped of their rights and humanity, facing
mass displacement.
• Point 2: Our Responsibility
o Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The believers are like a single body; if one part is in
pain, the whole body feels it.” This emphasizes unity and standing against injustice.
** “The future depends on what we do in the present.” — Mahatma Gandhi**
Closing Thoughts
o Humanity’s strength lies in its compassion. Wars, crimes, and
genocides may try to break us, but the fight for human rights must
never stop.
“You may never know what results come of your actions, but if you
do nothing, there will be no result.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Patterns of War Crimes
Common Patterns:
Targeting Civilians: Bombing hospitals, schools, and residential
areas.
Prohibited Weapons: Use of chemical or biological weapons (e.g.,
sarin gas in Syria).
Forced Displacement: Ethnic cleansing and mass deportations
(e.g., Rohingya crisis).
Sexual Violence: As a tool of war (e.g., Bosnian War, conflict in the
DRC).
Failure of Justice
Challenges in Prosecution:
Lack of enforcement mechanisms within the International
Criminal Court (ICC).
States refusing to cooperate or shield perpetrators due to political
interests.
Political Obstacles:
Superpower vetoes in the United Nations Security Council (e.g.,
protecting allies).
Geopolitical alliances hampering investigations.
Preventing Future Crimes
Education and Awareness:
Teach international humanitarian law in conflict regions.
Train soldiers on lawful combat practices.
Strengthening Accountability:
Support for ICC reforms to ensure fair trials and faster processes.
Peace-Building Initiatives:
Promote reconciliation and rehabilitation programs in post-conflict
societies.
Invest in global cooperation to mediate conflicts early.
Role of Media
Raising awareness and advocacy
Shaping public perception
Holding authorities accountable
Empowering marginalized voices
Influencing policy and aid distribution
Conclusion
• War crimes remain a persistent global issue, harming
millions.
• Justice mechanisms, while flawed, are vital and must be
strengthened.
• Call for active participation: Governments, international
bodies, and individuals can play a role in prevention.
HUHHHHH !!
WE WANNA THANK US.
THANK YOU !
