Syrian security forces have begun
using civilians as human shields. They are mostly using women and young women
and forcing them to march in front of their tanks. According to the refugees, Syrian
security forces are using civilians as human shields to prevent attacks from
rebels. In recent weeks, there have been many eyewitness accounts of Syrian soldiers
forcing women and young children to march in front of their tanks. A 13 year
old boy was forced to stand in front of the tanks in a village for 6 hours
without food or water. The practice of using human shields has become more
widespread in recent months. A human
watch researcher said the use of human shields "is
yet another reason why the UN Security Council should refer Syria to the
International Criminal Court." This tactic has seemed to work for
the Syrian force and it has stopped some rebels attacks.
The use
of human shields is an example of a war crime. Unfortunately, in war and
fighting, people will do whatever it takes to win. Using young children and
women to stand in front of the tanks while entering villages is an example of
this extreme. It is inhumane and terrible to force innocent civilians to
protect yourself. Those civilians have no protection and are not standing/marching
voluntarily. The government soldiers are forcing them to do so. Although this tactic has been successful, what
if it was unsuccessful? What if the rebels continued to fight and not cease the
operation? Many civilians lives would be lost and the Syrian forces do not care
about that. They will do whatever it takes to win. Using civilians as a human
shield is an example of a war crime and those who use them should be held
responsible. It is prohibited under the
Geneva Convention.
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