...Advances in technology and weaponry have revolutionised warfare since time immemorial, where inventions such as the chariot, canon powder and the airplane effectively changed the landscape of warfare.1 The law of armed conflict (LOAC) that exists today has developed as a reaction to the atrocities committed in the past; the four Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols of 1977 originated as responses to the increased suffering of civilians in armed conflict due in part to developments of weapon technology.2 The legal instruments to regulate the application of these advances in technology can barely keep up with challenges resulting from the rapidness of the advancement of contemporary military technologies. Moreover, recent technological advances raise the prospect of upheavals in practice so fundamental that they challenge assumptions underlying long-established international laws of war.3 This is because advances in technology have dramatically affected the weapons and tactics of future armed conflict, the “places” where conflicts are fought, the “actors” by whom they are fought, and the “means and methods” by which they are fought.4 These changes stress the fundamental principles of the LOAC, thus undermining its ability to regulate the conduct of hostilities; namely, by posing challenges to the principles of distinction, proportionality, military necessity and unnecessary suffering. This essay aims to assess the impact technology has had upon the LOACs...
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...protests. As such, Assad has committed many questionable, at best, and criminal, at worst, actions against the civilians of Syria in an effort to stop the rebels. The indiscriminate warfare Assad has used against Syrian citizens is shown in multiple international doctrines as illegal, and is thus a war crime, which should be prosecuted. The Statue of the International Criminal Court defines war crimes as “serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in international armed conflict” and “serious violations of the laws and customs applicable in an armed conflict not of an international character (ICRC 2016). Section IV of Rule 156 of the International Committee of the Red Cross, titled Other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed During a Non-International Armed Conflict, lists use of prohibited weapons subject to criminal sanctions, and specifically references the Chemical Weapons Convention, Amended Protocol II to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, and the Ottawa Convention as laying the groundwork for this guideline. This paper will address historical context of the Syrian Civil War, United Nations documents concerning indiscriminate weapons, the use of these indiscriminate weapons in Syria, and precedent for military tribunals. Arab Spring and Beginnings of Civil War Protests in Syria started on January 26, 2011, when a police officer assaulted a man in public at Al-Hareeka Street in old Damascus. The man was arrested right...
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...FOUNDATION Connecting Research in Security to Practice Crisp Report ABOUT THE CRISP SERIES OF REPORTS Connecting Research in Security to Practice (CRISP) reports provide insights into how different types of security issues can be tackled effectively. Drawing on research and evidence from around the world, each report summarizes the prevailing knowledge about a specific aspect of security, then recommends proven approaches to counter the threat. Connecting scientific research with existing security actions helps form good practices. This series invites experts in specialist aspects of security to present their views on how to understand and tackle a security problem, using the best research evidence available. Reports are written to appeal to security practitioners in different types of organizations and at different levels. Readers will inevitably adapt what is presented to meet their own requirements. They will also consider how they can integrate the recommended actions with existing or planned programs in their organizations. This CRISP report focuses on firearms in the workplace and their relationship with workplace violence. Author Dana Loomis, PhD, discusses how firearms end up at workplaces, and then assesses a host of opportunities to prevent any ensuing problems. His recommendations provide solid ideas on how organizations can avoid becoming victims of workplace violence, and how to implement recommended solutions. His discussion helps security practitioners...
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...I. INTRODUCTION The main instruments of International Humanitarian Law (hereafter referred to as IHL) are the four Geneva Conventions of 12 August 19491 for the protection of war victims. These treaties which are universally accepted, protect the wounded, the sick, prisoners of war and civilians in enemy hands. They also protect medical services personnel such as medical personnel, medical units and establishments, and medical means of transport. As a matter of fact this kind of concern for the humanitarian aspect can be found in our ancient epics like the Mahabharata, where the rules of conduct of war as to the timing of attack and the prohibition attacking the unarmed were strictly laid down. The laws of Manu, a compilation of encyclopedic scope, which the British Professor Duncan M. Derrett a known authority on Hindu Law describes as a text "which constitutes India's greatest achievement in the field of jurisprudence" and regards this work as one of the world's premier compositions in ancient law, more valuable in every sense than Hammurabi and able to hold its own in comparison to the covenant and Priestly codes of Moses2 . Manu, while describing the duties of a King, warns against unusual cruelty even against an enemy in warfare, and has this to say, "fighting in a battle, he should not kill his enemies with weapons that are concealed, barbed, or smeared with poison or whose points blaze with fire. He should not kill anyone who has climbed on a...
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...Global Crime Analysis Global Crime Analysis Global crimes cause global issues that affect the national and international justice system. For more than 20 years, as the world economy has globalized, so has its illicit counterpart. The international impact of global crime has risen to record levels. The increase in international crime represents the dark side of globalization. Transnational criminal organization has utilized ever-changing technologies, has adapted intricate network structures that are difficult to trace and stop, and have expanded their criminal activities. This has resulted in an unmatched scale of international crime. Global Crime Global crime threatens the safety and security of every person throughout the world. International crime is drug smuggling, human trafficking, trading in weapons, actions that involve serious violence and physical harm. Global crimes do not respect geographic borders. Non-violent crimes involve extortion, fraud, money laundering, counterfeiting, economic espionage, intellectual property theft, and cybercrimes. These global crimes are not influenced by violence, but cause major damage to those affected. Global Drug Trade According to the UN Drug Report 2012, between 153, and 300 million people consumed illicit drugs at least once last year (Wolf, 2012). Around 10% of users are considered “problem drug users”; this is a disturbing percentage because more than 100,000 people die each year as a result of illicit drug use (Wolf...
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...independence of state. The right of people to self determination and non-intervention in maters which are essentially within the jurisdiction of states in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and International Law. According to the United Nations Department of Disarmament Affairs (UNDA), the Heads of State or Government emphasized that the international situation continues to be marked by rapid and dramatic evolution, presenting numerous opportunities and challenges to the international community and the Non-Aligned Movement. However, recent events have again demonstrated that a peaceful, just and secure world continues to elude human kind. Accordingly simmering disputes, violent conflicts aggression and foreign occupation, interference in the domestic affairs of states , policies of hegemony and domination, unilateral and conceive measures, ethnic strife religious intolerances, xenophobia, new forms of racism narrowly conceived nationalism pose major and dangerous obstacles to harmonious coexistence among states and people and have even led to the disintegration of states and societies. According to Jeffrey S (1995;11), the Heads of State or Government expressed their rejection of unilateralism, which is increasing leading to erosion and violation of international law, to the use and threat of use of force and to pressure and coercion by certain countries as a means of achieving their policy objectives. In this...
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...International Humanitarian Law – jus in bello 1. Geneva Conventions The law in this area is covered by the four Geneva Conventions, signed in 1949 after the atrocities of WW2 and two additional protocols signed in 1977. 1. Geneva Convention on the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field (GC I) 2. Geneva Convention on the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea (GC II) 3. Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War (GC III) 4. Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (GC IV) Protocols of 1977 – in response to the conflict in Vietnam 1. Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Additional Protocol I) 2. Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Additional Protocol II) 2. International Armed Conflict – application of the GC’s • International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) states that an armed conflict within the meaning of the Geneva Conventions is any difference of opinion between two states that leads to intervention or action by the members of their armed forces • Common Article 2 of GC (ie in all of them) states that it will apply: o To all cases of war, and armed conflict between two or more parties to the treaty (even if “the state of war” is not recognised by one of them) o To all cases of partial or total occupation of the territory...
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...Essay Questions 1. How do the different actors in international system affect international relations? How do the different theories explain the role of these actors in the international system. The actors consist of state actors and non-state actors. Non-state actors and terrorism work outside the westphalian system and take power away from state sovereignty. They consist of terrorist groups, IGO’s like the European Union, NGO’s like multinational corporations. NGO’s increase interdependence and globalization. IGO’s bring about peace and spread democracy and war is not realistic. NGO’s even have the ability to remove state governments through public support and pressure placed on high ranking officials as shown in -----. They also have the power to hinder development of countries as shown in the Global South, but at the same time they provide many jobs for the economy. For state actors, the actions and decisions of states can effect profoundly the international because of polarity, hegemony, and economy. The Liberalist view would see non-state actors as a positive because they are bringing countries allowing them to work together through institutions increasing interdependence and globalization. Realists would say that these non-state actors are only out for self interest in profit and will use up resources taking advantage of wages whenever possible. Constructivist view would see terrorist groups specifically as falling under Samuel Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations...
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...we approach a new generation of warfare, we face new problems. Each generation before us has shown that there are continued advancements in warfare technology and with new technology there are different guidelines and terms of use in concordance with international law. The art of war has not changed since the beginning of time. Yes, there are new weapons, but the content for the most part is the same. Defeat your enemy, rendering them unable to strike back, or attack them where it hurts so that they do not want to proceed in the war. Through the evolution of war, the United States has conquered and been defeated. We may not always be law abiding, but we do what we deem necessary to defend the nation. In the process of defending, we learned that technological advancements are not always a positive thing, and technology can become too powerful for any one nation alone. The creation of the nuclear bomb was just that. Now that there is this terrifying new advancement in warfare technology, how do we stop it from getting into the hands of the wrong people? Executive summary, In this paper, I will discuss how the Stuxnet virus was used to stop the use and development of nuclear weaponry in Iran. The laws on proper use will also be discussed, exploring whether it was lawful to deploy the virus, with relation to the use of Traditional Military Activities and presidential findings. In addition, I will include documentation that reflects the right to use...
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...world. Currently between the U.S. and Mexico there is a huge problem with the illegal exchange of weapons. International crime organizations, such as Los Zetas, are becoming more powerful and this is putting the future of Mexico and all of Latin America in jeopardy. As these organizations become more powerful, federal and local governments are losing control. These weapons that are making there way into Mexico are making it easier for the drug cartels to move drugs up and down North and South America. Also weapons are durable goods, which means that these weapons making there way to Mexico can be sold to other crime organizations and used again and again. This paper will look at two cases in particular, in which weapons are crossing U.S. borders and making there way into the hands of Los Zetas and the consequences that have resulted. What Lay’s Ahead For Mexico Globalization is something that is changing the way that we live. No matter where you go in the world you almost always see influences from other countries in one form or another. It has both positive and negative affects within society. For example, poor countries that are rich in natural resources can distribute them to other countries to benefit their own economy. However, globalization can have negative affects as well. International crime organizations across the world are gaining more access to high-power weapons because of the way that globalization has changed how merchandize is exchanged. For instance, lets...
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...RIGHT THING TO DO? The Iraqi War: Was it the Right Thing to Do? XXXXXX University Abstract The invasion of Iraq was unconstitutional, had no real justification for happening and has severely damaged relations with our allies. Most importantly, Saddam Hussein was considered a threat and it was believed that he had weapons of mass destruction, would take on the U.S in an instant and was accused of having ties to the events of September 11, 2006 and the Al-Quaeda terrorist network. None of this could be proved and it appears as if it were all just convenient statements made by the administration to find a way to make it a justifiable cause. The Iraqi War: Was it the Right Thing to Do? The invasion was unconstitutional, against international law, violated the Christian doctrine of "just war" and has damaged U.S. relations with its allies. It has wreaked havoc in the Muslim world, where there's plenty of havoc already, and most importantly, it has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent people. Frankly, it’s surprising it hasn’t resulted in dropping a nuclear bomb on Baghdad. Claims made prewar regarding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction have all proved to be wrong; the number of terrorists in Iraq has increased rather than decreased and the abuse inflicted on Iraqi detainees contradicts the most basic values the Administration claimed it would bring to Iraq (Savoy, 2004). President Bush’s actions portray him as an individual that has...
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...The debate over the use of tasers by law enforcement always seems to heat up whenever there has been a taser death. Taser guns are an electric shock weapons that temporarily incapacitates the nerve transmission, disrupting voluntary muscle control. Tasers are used worldwide by many countries; some consider them to be firearms or safe police self-defense weapons, while others may view them as harmful killers. Tasers are the registered trademark of the company Taser International, who is also the original manufacturer, and the word is actually an acronym that stands for Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle. Created in 1974 by Jack Coker and later improved upon with the help of Tom Smith, who together started the company Taser International (Sun-Sentinel). It is a gun that stuns people by shocking the sensory and motor nerves to produce strong involuntary muscle contractions. In the world of stun guns, tasers that can project out are preferred by law enforcement officers. This reason is because they do not rely on the pain alone as these cause involuntary control. Enough to subdue the person all while maintain a safe distance. Although they were originally introduced as safe nonlethal weapons for self-defense, law enforcement has used them to control fleeing or aggressive suspects. Tasers then hit controversy when they were believed to have resulted in some deaths and severe injuries. One of the most publicized deaths involving a Taser occurred in Canada. A government investigation...
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...Weapons, Force, and Personal Protective Gear William A. Childress CJA 585 September 5, 2011 Professor Brain Kissinger Weapons, Force, and Personal Protective Gear Law enforcement officers and personal protection agents use much the same in weaponry, tactics, force, and personal protective gear in the performance of their daily duties. Within this paper those vital elements will be examined. Weapons used by the police and personal agents will be examined, beginning with offensive weapons, next will be defensive weapons, followed by tactical weapons. The use of force by the police and protection agents will follow weapons, and the paper will finish with an examination of protective gear, to include Kevlar® vests, neck and shoulder protection, and full body suits. Weapons Weapons are just as much a part of an officer’s or a protection agent’s uniform as his clothing. The weapon can be offensive, defensive, nonlethal, or a combination of these. What follows is a brief synopsis of some of the classes of weapons. Please note that many of the weapons can cross over into other classes, e.g. a water cannon may be used either offensively or defensively. Offensive Offensive weapons are used by law enforcement and protection agencies in the performance of their daily duties. These weapons include can include water cannons, rubber bullets, and percussive or flash explosive devices – meant to disorient the subjects involved temporarily. A sniper...
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...Globalization By: Katrina T. Mason May 2, 2008 The United States is quite known for their proactive stances on the “War on Drugs”, “War on Terror”, and “War in Iraq”. Some view them as the international police and others view them as the international fiend, but it is in no doubt that the United States takes a very active stance in fighting what they believe is evil and wrong within the world. This is increasingly true for the evils that occur within its own borders such as the continued drug epidemic, domestic violence, child abuse, poverty, gangs, and prostitution (with the exception of Nevada). Unfortunately though, the United States’ stance on legal activities crossing from their own governance into neighboring states where the activity is illegal is not held with the same level of concern or dedication. A primary example of this double standard can be seen on the Mexican-United States border. This is not in reference to the debris from the giant wall being built on the Mexican border falling to the southern side, the young Americans fleeing across the borders to intoxicate themselves, or even the revolution of McDonalds springing up in towns throughout Mexico; but instead to the small arms and light weapons trafficking continually flowing down from the border states into Mexico causing alarming murder rates, economical, and governance issues. Even with the heavy arms trafficking having a connection with the drug cartels’ trafficking...
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...Alternative Proposals for Tough Gun Control Law is the Solution As violence and crime rate continue to increase, debates on tougher gun control also continue to escalate. While it is a popular notion that more weapons mean more gun-related injuries, many people vehemently oppose restriction on their freedom to own guns. Tougher gun control is an issue that is seen as black and white, though it is not. It is true that these dangerous weapons entails greater responsibility on the owner’s part. What I don’t understand is that we immediately opt to either say yes or a definite no, while saying yes means completely banning civilians to obtain guns. Saying yes on gun control absolutely does not mean a total ban. We can still buy and acquire these weapons for personal defense, while at the same time following strict policies for check and balance. Data on weapons effect does not prove correlation A psychological view known as weapons effect has been the basis for laws in gun control. The theory suggests that weapons can induce aggressive behaviour with tendencies to inflict harm when exposed with weapons (especially guns) for a relative time. While this is a good point, some studies have criticized its assumptions for its ecological validity (results cannot be used to conclude real life applications) perhaps due to the nature of the study itself. Still some argue that weapons effect does the opposite results according to other studies. For instance, results described by Kates and...
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