International Humanitarian Law Debate Championship 2016

International Humanitarian Law Debates

ROUND 1

“We didn't start the fireIt was always burning

Since the world's been turningWe didn't start the fire

No we didn't light itBut we tried to fight it”

Billy Joel - We Didn’t Start The Fire (1989)

Info Slide – (1 / 2)

A scorched-earth policy is a military strategy that targets anything that might be useful to the enemy while advancing through or withdrawing from an area. Specifically, all of the assets that are used or can be used by the enemy are targeted, such as food sources, transportation, communications and industrial resources.

Info Slide (2 / 2)

The strategy of destroying the food and water supply of the civilian population in an area of conflict has been banned under Article 54 of Protocol I of the 1977 Geneva Conventions.

THR the ban on scorched earth tactics

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ROUND 2

International Humanitarian Law Debates

ROUND 2

“They were crying when their sons left,All young men must go”

System of A Down – Soldier Side (2006)

In the event a nation could afford to send drones in replacement of ground forces in

dealing with conflicts, THW make troop deployment a war crime

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ROUND 2

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ROUND 3

“I believe the children are our future.Teach them well and let them lead the way.”

Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston (1985)

Where there is a shortage of available combatants, THW pardon the usage and recruitment of child soldiers by localised

groups who vow to fight terror organizations

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ROUND 2

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Round 4

“We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when. But I know we’ll meet again some

sunny day.”

Vera Lynn – We’ll Meet Again (1939)

THBT rebel groups should redirect resources to evacuate civilians to safe areas rather than

furthering their military interests

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ROUND 2

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ROUND 5

“Oh when the saintsGo marching in

Oh, when the saints go marching inOh how I want to be in that number

When the saints go marching in”

Louis Armstrong - Saints Go Marching In (1938)

Info Slide

• Syria Civil Defense also known as the White Helmets, is a volunteer civil defense non-governmental organization that operates in rebel-controlled Syria during the Syrian Civil War.

Context Slide

• You are a civilian living in Aleppo, Syria. As the fighting escalates in Aleppo, your family and loved ones has secured safe passage to seek refuge in the EU. They fervently wish for you to join them.

THW choose to join the White Helmets instead of escaping with your family

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ROUND 2

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Pre-Quarters

“The floods is threateningMy very life today,

Gimme gimme shelterOr I’m gonna fade away”

Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter (1960)

This house as Israel, would invade the Gaza Strip in a joint military operation with the

Palestinian Authority and subsequently cede control of Gaza Strip to the Palestinian

Authority

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ROUND 2

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Quarters

“We don’t need another hero”

Tina Turner – We Don’t Need Another Hero (1991)

Instead of relying on global adjudication bodies (ICC), THBT states should move towards the

establishment of regional courts

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ROUND 2

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Semi Finals

“I hurt myself today,To see if I still feel,,I focus on the pain,

The only thing that’s real”

Nine Inch Nails / Johnny Cash – Hurt (1994)

Assuming feasibility, THW compel all military pilots (drones, helicopters etc) to remember

the personal data retrieved from the identity of every single victim killed in their missions

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ROUND 2

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Finals

“Politicians hide themselves away,They only started the war,

Why should they go out to fight,They leave that role to the poor”

Black Sabbath – War Pigs (1970)

Context Slide

The UN has decided to come up with a military insurance scheme. Under this scheme, a military force governed by an independent central authority will automatically provide all defensive military needs to those under the scheme when there is an attack on their borders

To promote adherence to IHL, THW as the UN, move towards abolishing standing armies in favour of an independent military insurance

scheme