NationStates Jolt Archive

I am relatively new here and don't have the endorsements to actually submit a proposal, but the UN seems to be lacking any kind of "rules of war" legislation. A more comprehensive bill might be a good idea eventually, but a good start would be prohibiting the targeting of noncombatants, whether they are medics on the battlefield or civilians in their homes.

A somewhat related but probably more controversial idea would be a requirement for nations with compulsory military service, such as my own, to honor the will of conscientious objectors, seeing as they won't be much use on the front lines anyway, and provide them with noncombatant military jobs, such as medics, chaplains, engineers, etc.

Thoughts?

[OOC:My initial reaction is "good stuff, I'm likely to support". However, these issues may already be covered under past legislation. Someone less lazy than me might wish to check...]

[OOC:My initial reaction is "good stuff, I'm likely to support". However, these issues may already be covered under past legislation. Someone less lazy than me might wish to check...]

This version still needs to be updated:
http://s3.invisionfree.com/UN_Organizations/index.php?showtopic=33

The pdf was updated today, just not copied over to invision, but this should be close enough.

The answer to your question is (I believe) that the Wolfish convention essentially focused on prisoners of war, not support personnel. Over a year ago, Sydia's "Children in War" resolution actually adopted a series of warfare protections for children non-combatants and actually banned the practice of anybody under the age of 16 from joining the military (including in support roles). Significant in Sydia's resolution was the special measures adopted to protect child refugees and buildings in which children can typically be found, such as schools.

It has come to my organizations attention that the International Democratic Union is considering work on a draft proposal related to enhancing Sydia's resolution, as the Red Cross was asked to start an assesment of the condition of hospitals and shelters world wide pending work that will soon be underway by the newly commissioned Natural Disaster Assistance Organisation (NDAO). We were told by the members of the IDU that they intend to have the NDAO collect information related to the physical stresses unique to nations, so that we can then include that in our report on "safe zones", which of course will include non-combat locations.

Though this work is different that what is being proposed here, the International Red Cross fully endorses discussions that can hopefully limit collateral damage. And since the Red Cross does make extensive use of military non-combat personnel and equipment in providing humanitarian aid to hot spots, the IRCO has a vested interest in seeing that Swheelerland's draft is successful!