Topic: 2024-Indiscriminate Weapons
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Alexander Kha
The definition of indiscriminate weapons by Red Cross defines them as, “those that cannot be directed at a military objective or whose effects cannot be limited as required by international humanitarian law.” These weapons include, but are not limited to; mines, cluster bombs, and unexploded ordnance. Those who are affected by these weapons are both military personnel and civilians. These indiscriminate weapons are used within conflicts and the locations of previous conflicts. Examples include the current Russo-Ukrainian conflict, the conflict in Gaza, and the aftermath of post-conflict countries such as; Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. These weapons affect both civilian and military targets. In the case of unexploded ordnance, the civilian population is affected significantly. These weapons are of high significance due to the nature of these weapons, killing indiscriminately between civilian and military. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan does believe that law on the prevention of these weapons should be strengthened, that there is a need to enforce necessary measures to accelerate the removal of landmines and unexploded ordnance in post-conflict areas, and that international frameworks should adapt to address the challenges posed by new technologies in warfare through prohibiting the use of these weapons such as autonomous ones.
The use of indiscriminate weapons has strongly affected the country of Pakistan. This is as stated previously in 2022 “Landmines continue to play a significant role in meeting the military needs of many States. Reliance on landmines is an integral part of Pakistan’s defense in view of our security need to guard long borders that are not protected by any natural obstacle.” Although, in previous years we the country of Pakistan have stated that Pakistan “supports the humanitarian objectives of this Convention and is guided by humanitarianism and respect for international humanitarian law and protection of civilian life,” and is also stated that it “is supportive of an international legal instrument banning the transfer of antipersonnel landmines” within 2018. What could be done to strengthen the prevention of the use of indiscriminate weapons in the future would be the tightening of regulations. Measures that can be taken to accelerate the removal of landmines within post-conflict areas could be through the support of both the country that the ordinance has been placed within the government and the assistance of countries within the United Nations. International frameworks should work to prohibit the adaption of new technologies in warfare to address the problems and challenges posed by the technology
Bibliography:
Pakistan General information (CIA world Factbook) – Indiscriminate weapons
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/pakistan/
Pakistan policy on mines 2023 (the-monitor) – Indiscriminate weapons
https://the-monitor.org/country-profile/pakistan/mine-ban-policy?year=2023