PROTECTION OF VICTIMS OF ARMED CONFLICT VIS-A-VIS VULNERABLE GROUP THROUGH RESPECT FOR THE RULES OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW IN NIGERIA: AN APPRAISAL

Abstract

International humanitarian law is aimed at protecting the civilian population in general from dangers arising from military operations or situations of armed conflict. However, in recent conflicts around the world, the principles of International Humanitarian Law governing the treatment of civilians and non-combatants have been largely ignored and violated. This article is concerned with the fact that Increasing number of civilian have been killed, treated without dignity, arbitrarily detained and/or separated from their families. They have been targeted on purpose, forced to leave their homes and deprived of their basic rights as human beings. The object of this article is that part of this unwarranted treatment suffered by unarmed civilians can be attributed to the states monopoly on the use of force eroding and leading to a rise in armed groups or factions and bandits who do not hesitate to take law and order into their hands. The articles concludes that most armed groups during armed conflict have a loose chain of command and coupled with their lack of responsibility, has left unarmed civilians as the actual target of hostilities. It suggests that effort to enhance adequate respect for the rules of international humanitarian law should be implemented by state because civilians are entitled to and should expect adequate care and respect in any event of armed conflict. The methodology used is the doctrinal study of the key subject of this research, and appropriate references made accordingly. Reliance was also placed on other international instruments relevant to the research topic