One month of escalating conflict in the Middle East and dangerous rhetoric by leaders on all sides, including open threats to commit war crimes, has created a threat to fundamental civilian protections that safeguard us all.
The geographic spread, speed of escalation, and open disregard for international norms by all parties are a critical stress test for the international legal order created to protect civilians during armed conflict.
Over the last month, Human Rights Watch has highlighted what is at stake for civilians across the region and documented mounting violations of the laws of war by all sides in the conflict.
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Since the United States and Israel began their assault on Iran on February 28, and as Iran responded and Israel escalated attacks in Lebanon, all parties to the conflict have been responsible for serious violations of the laws of war, including possible war crimes.
Officials’ inflammatory public statements have included open threats to kill civilians and destroy critical civilian infrastructure, suggestions that abuses by one side justify abuses by the other, and dismissal of international law and rules of engagement.
“This explosive combination, building on world leaders’ longstanding failure to hold those responsible for serious violations of international law to account,” says HRW Executive Director Philippe Bolopion, “is threatening the rules-based order that has long sought to protect civilians.”
The statements and actions by leaders of the US, Israel, and Iran reveal callous disregard for human life and indicate that, for them, the laws do not matter. But they do.
