Human rights and war through civilian eyes / Thomas W. Smith.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smith, Thomas W., 1962- author.

Series:

Pennsylvania studies in human rights

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

War--Protection of civilians.

War.

Combatants and noncombatants (International law).

Humanitarian law.

Civilian war casualties--Gaza Strip.

Civilian war casualties.

Civilian war casualties--Iraq.

Civil war--Protection of civilians--Gaza Strip.

Civil war.

Civil war--Protection of civilians--Iraq.

Human rights--Gaza Strip.

Human rights.

Military ethics.

Civil war--Protection of civilians.

Gaza Strip.

Human rights--Iraq.

Iraq.

Military ethics--Iraq.

Military ethics--Gaza Strip.

Physical Description:

x, 256 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : University of Pennsylvania Press, [2017]

Summary:

"International lawyers and ethicists have long judged wars from the perspective of the state and its actions, developing international humanitarian law by asking such questions as 'Are the belligerents justified in entering the conflict?' and 'How should they conduct themselves during the war's execution?' and 'When civilian noncombatants are harmed, who is responsible for their suffering?' Human Rights and War Through Civilian Eyes reimagines the ethics of war from the standpoint of its collateral victims, focusing on the effects of war on individuals: on those who are terrorized, or killed, or whose lives are violently disrupted. Upholding a human rights analysis of war, Thomas W. Smith conveys vividly the depth of human loss and the narrowing of everyday life brought about by armed conflict. Through riveting case studies of the Iraq War and the recent Gaza conflicts, Smith shows how even combatants who profess to follow the laws of war often engage in appalling violence and brutality, cutting short civilian lives, ruining economies, rending social fabrics, and collapsing public infrastructure. A focus on the human dimension of warfare makes clear the limits of international humanitarian law, and underscores how human rights perspectives increase its efficacy."--Dust jacket.

Contents:

Preface

Human rights and the norms of modern warfare

Humanizing the laws of war

The implosion of Iraq : "shock and awe," insurgency, and sectarian terror

The Gaza wars, 2008-2014 : human rights agency and advocacy

Who's responsible? : justice and accountability

"Kind-hearted gunmen" : human rights and humanitarian intervention

Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 209-245) and index.

ISBN:

9780812248630

0812248635

OCLC:

945028821