Peace and Conflict Studies Commons^™

Wars Against Civilians Are Unjust Wars, Richard A. Falk

Human Rights & Human Welfare

For those of us old enough to recall the anti-war testimony of Vietnam vets during the early 1970s, reading the chilling report by Hedges and Al-Arian on the attitudes of Iraq war vets is shocking, and yet not surprising. It is shocking because of the eyewitness confirmation of cruelty and lethal brutality on a regular basis in the interactions between the coalition army of occupation and Iraqi civilian society. Sadly, it is not shocking because of the nature of the violent resistance to occupation being encountered by American forces in Iraq, giving rise to a Vietnam-style mentality of counterinsurgency in …

Bad Apples Or Bad Policies?, Daniel J. Whelan

Human Rights & Human Welfare

In a scene from the Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters, the haughty and cantankerous character Frederick (Max von Sydow) is telling his girlfriend (Barbara Hershey) how he spent the evening flipping through channels on television. Ever the arrogant social critic, Frederick remarks,

You missed a very dull TV show on Auschwitz. More gruesome film clips. And more puzzled intellectuals declaring their mystification over the systematic murder of millions. The reason they can never answer the question: “How could it possibly happen?” is that it’s the wrong question. Given what people are, the question is: “Why doesn't it happen …

September Roundtable: Introduction

Human Rights & Human Welfare

An annotation of:

“The Other War: Iraq Vets Bear Witness” by Chris Hedges and Laila Al-Arian. The Nation, July 30, 2007.

Occupational Hazard, Michael Goodhart

Human Rights & Human Welfare

“The Other War” describes how the patrols, supply convoys, checkpoints, raids, and arrests, which make up the daily routines of U.S. soldiers in Iraq, sometimes involve degrading and abusive treatment of Iraqi civilians. Through interviews with some of those soldiers, the article portrays the everyday tragedy of the Iraq war and demonstrates how the very policies used to “secure” the country are creating greater insecurity and sparking Iraqi resentment of the occupation. The authors’ main point is that such abuses are inevitable under what they call “misguided and brutal colonial wars and occupations” like Iraq, “the French occupation of Algeria… …

Facing Up To The Truth, Susan E. Waltz

Human Rights & Human Welfare

American GIs who liberated Dachau from the Nazis in April 1945 exist in our collective memory as iconic representations of the American soldier-hero: competent and capable, disciplined, principled and fundamentally good. From their collective example, we expect American soldiers to reveal, report, and excoriate war crimes. This makes it difficult to acknowledge that Americans may also commit war crimes—and on a regular basis.

Ddasaccident773, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On 25 August 2007 at 0905 hrs while [the Victim] a deminer of Party-01, Section-1 of the mentioned team was working in his clearance lane on a detected signal his bayonet stroke on top of an anti personnel PMN-2 mine; as a result the mine exploded and since helmet was not on his head, the victim deminer lost one eye, sustained serious injuries to other eye and some injuries to his face and hand with active bleeding.

Ddasaccident562, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The M77 involved in this accident did not detonate properly and may have been damaged. If this was visible, it would imply that the Victim made an error by touching it. But if the damage was not visible, the Victim was just extremely lucky.

Ddasaccident725, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The LAF Sampling Team, was tasked by LMACC on the 17 August 2007 to conduct a reconnaissance of CBU 855 , Task Dossier, Area 1-001 in order to confirm the CBU turning points and areas for site setup. It had been identified that [Demining group] had previously conducted clearance operation on this CBU and a Sampling team were to sample 10% of the area. Team Leader, Sgt [Name removed] was approached by a local worker on BCU 855 on the 20th Aug 2007, around 9am. Sgt [Name removed] was told that a sub munition was found inside the orchard. Sgt …

Who Intervenes And Why It Matters: The Problem Of Agency In Humanitarian Intervention, Eric A. Heinze

Human Rights & Human Welfare

The debate over humanitarian intervention has tended to focus on the conditions under which the resort to armed intervention is permissible while paying less attention to which actors are best suited to engage in such a complicated and demanding undertaking. The purpose of this paper is to explore characteristics that affect the ability of potential agents of humanitarian intervention to effectively undertake this operationally and politically demanding task. While the military wherewithal of the intervener is fundamental, I argue that a potential intervener’s legitimacy as an agent or enforcer of humanitarian norms is also crucial in determining whether and the …

Law In Times Of War: The Case Of Chechnya, Federico Sperotto

Human Rights & Human Welfare

In October 1999 “the second Chechen war” broke out. In December the Russian federal army started an operation to take control of Grozny. During the confrontation between the Federal forces and the Chechen separatists, serious human rights violations occurred. Several cases concerning violations of fundamental rights, in and around the city, have been brought before the European Court of Human Rights against Russia. The lawsuits concerned in particular physical integrity issues. This study provides some insights on the jurisprudence of the European Court on Human Rights in order to ascertain the adequacy of the mechanism of protection provided by the …

Elisabeth King On Researching Conflict In Africa : Insights And Experiences. Edited By Elisabeth Porter, Gillian Robinson, Marie Smyth, Albrecht Schnabel, And Eghosa Osaghae. New York : United Nations University Press, 2005. 160pp., Elisabeth King

Human Rights & Human Welfare

A review of:

Researching Conflict in Africa : Insights and Experiences. Edited by Elisabeth Porter, Gillian Robinson, Marie Smyth, Albrecht Schnabel, and Eghosa Osaghae. New York : United Nations University Press, 2005. 160pp.

The International Politics Of Domestic Change: Myanmar, Asean And The American Led World Order, Shyam Sudhir Kulkarni

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, have had a longstanding policy of not interfering in each other's domestic affairs. This norm of"noninterference" is considered both a hallmark of intraregional diplomacy in Southeast Asia and ASEAN's most venerated nonn. However, recent developments regarding the relationship between Myanmar and the rest of the regional grouping suggest that this principle may not currently be as sacrosanct as it has been in the past. This thesis explains the replacement of ASEAN's traditional nom1 of non-interference with a modified version of it through a framework developed from constructivist theories of ideational …

What Are America’S Obligations To Iraq After An Unjust War?, Brian Stiltner

Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies Faculty Publications

Since the goal of a just war is to restore a political condition of peace and justice, and since allowing a just war is always a mournful concession to the reality of injustice, a country that wins a war has post-bellum obligations to advance the common good within the losing nation and among the community of nations. It has the moral duty to make up for the damage it has caused, even if it was justified in causing that damage. (Note that the idea of a "just" war is not that war is a good in itself, but that it …

Handheld Standoff Mine Detection System (Hstamids) Operational Field Evaluation In Cambodia, Sean Burke, Roger Cresci, R C. Doheny, Peter Ngan, Chris Walk

Global CWD Repository

Handheld Standoff Mine Detection System (HSTAMIDS) Operational Field Evaluation in Cambodia

Evaluation Of The Albanian Mine Action Programme, Mike Kendellan, Sharmala Naidoo, Faiz Paktian

Global CWD Repository

The evaluation is to generate recommendations for the Government of Albania, AMAC and AMAE to further develop the national mine action structure and programme in order to develop a mine action system which ensures meaningful consultation across concerned ministries and with key stakeholders. The evaluation is to generate recommendations for the Government of Albania, AMAC and AMAE to further develop the national mine action structure and programme in order to develop a mine action system which ensures meaningful consultation across concerned ministries and with key stakeholders. The general approach was for a multi-staged process, facilitating the emergence of a common …

Ddasaccident777, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

In one of the lane where [the Victim] deminer was excavating the ground to locate a signal made by its detector, suddenly an explosion happened and caused both hands injuries to him. As the deminer had worn the PPE and Helmet with visor down, he did not receive more injuries to other parts of his body.

Ddasaccident715, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On the 25th Jul 07 at approximately 1545hrs [Demining Group] reported to the MACC that they had located an amount of bulk explosive, 5-8kgs, at their HQ in Kudmose, Tyre. The explosive was located after a driver discarded a cigarette into tree/bushes adjacent to the [Demining Group] HQ office entrance. See photos at Annex B. A fire was initiated by the discarded cigarette, once the fire was extinguished an amount of explosive was then identified and located. This totalled approx. 5-7kg in weight.

Ddasaccident560, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On 25th July at 1300 hours, it was reported to JOC that one [European] Combat Engineer was injured by an explosion while carrying out EOD activities in the vicinity of Shama at UTM 704664-668268, and an ambulance was required for his medical evacuation.

Ddasaccident778, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

[The Victim] deminer was working in a bushy area with MIL-D1 mine detector and after he pinpointed a signal he put the detector away and started excavation of the signal by using a pick, and within a few minutes the pick stroke on the top of an AP mine and the explosion happened. The deminer had worn his PPE and helmet, but as the visor of his helmet was up, he got injuries to his face and both eyes.

Ddasaccident723, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

Demining team management claim the deminer was injured when he laid his helmet and PPE down onto a mine, which was in an un-cleared area, as he was moving back to take a break from his work. The Section Leader who had previously been observing him work was moving to observe another party when the accident occurred.

Ddasaccident512, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On July 19 at 07:15 hours an accident happened to [the Victim] deminer while he was working in an area, which was prepared by [National demining agency] MDU-01. The explosion of PMN 2 mine resulted superficial injuries to the left leg of the deminer and as he was equipped by PPE and visor he did not receive further injuries to his body. After receiving first aids, the casualty was evacuated to Bagram airbase Egyptian hospital for treatment.

Ddasaccident771, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On 29/10/2007 at 09:05 am an accident happened in Lane number 11 where [the Victim] was working. The deminer did not wear PPE/Visor and as a result of the accident the victim deminer got injuries to his eyes, forehead and left arm.

Ddasaccident500, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

According to the narration of the related section leader it was 11: 05 am 11/07/07. He was standing back side the deminer at the remote safe area to control him. At this time the deminer who became victim said to the section leader I am bored and I need for a break. The section leader told him no problem you can get some refreshment in the safe area. The section leader moved to other parties. As soon as he moved the deminer put off his Helmet, visor and protective Jacket and it was fell down from him on mine area. …

Ddasaccident585, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On 12 July 2007 at 12:37 pm an UXO accident occurred at Task Site CDS Jebel Kujoor. PKF-BGD-JBA-02448. Lance Corporal [Name removed] of [Demining group] was involved in the accident and his part of two fingers (ring finger and adjacent part of palm of right hand and little finger and adjacent part of palm of left hand) were injured. The investigation team visited at the site at 14:00 pm on the same day. The Investigation Team took photographs of the accident place and interview of the team members and concern personnel of the working group. The team also took interview …

Ddasaccident643, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The primary cause of this accident is listed as a Field Control Inadequacy because the Victim’s chest and face injuries imply that he was not wearing PPE (or not wearing it correctly) at the time of the accident. The secondary cause is listed as a Management Control inadequacy because the demining group’s senior management are responsible for ensuring that their field supervisors impose good discipline and never allow deminers to work without PPE.

Ddasaccident745, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

[Name removed] [Demining group] TFM arrived on site after the item reported to be found in [Demining group] previously cleared task, on his arrival myself as Supervisor ([Name removed]), LAF Sampling Team, TL, LAF Planning Officer, MACC SL Operations Officer and MACC SL Chief of QA section went on location of item M 77 found and [Name removed] [Demining group] TFM agreed that item found was inside the cleared task by [Demining group] subsurface

Ddasaccident472, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

A mine blast incident occurred at approximately 11:07hrs on Wednesday 18/07/2007 in the minefield No-69270030(Marina). Deminer [the Victim] detonated one M-35 anti personnel blast mine due to pulling the anchor wire. At the time of the incident the deminer was wearing the PPE (Body vest and Goggles). The deminer working in the cross lane located one mine and he tried to locate other mine by pulling the anchor wire, which resulted in a mine blast. The deminer sustained minor injuries as recorded in the injuries. Immediately after the mine blast, the section commander rushed to the lane and helped the …

Ddasaccident638, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The primary and secondary causes of this accident are listed as Unavoidable because it is possible that the Victim was working to his SOPs at the time of the accident (excavation accidents do occur even when working correctly). The fact that his injuries only resulted in lower leg injury imply that he was squatting to excavate and that his visor was worn correctly

Ddasaccident558, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

Stood on PMN mine, after accidentally stepping over the front of lane marker. Mine did not function properly and so injuries not consistent with those expected from type of mine.

Ddasaccident632, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The accident occurred whilst the deminer was excavating on a detector reading; the deminer failed to identify the center of reading, therefore he hit top of the mine.