Monday, November 27, 2017

Armed forces and human rights

Wing Cdr (Ret) U C Jha, IAF
Are armed forces outside the preserve of human rights?, asks Global Military Justice Reform contributor Wing Cdr (Ret) U C Jha in this Daily News & Analysis essay. His bottom line:
The Armed Forces cannot stay cocooned since the personnel they recruit belong to and interact with the wider society, which has undergone significant change. The government must ensure that the members of the Armed Forces enjoy the basic human rights and fundamental freedoms in the context of their service. A soldier whose human rights are protected by the State is likely to be more disciplined and operationally effective, and also less likely to violate the human rights of others.

1 comment:

  1. I agree fully with this analysis. MEmbers of the military are first and foremost 'citizens' and as such must enjoy the whole panoply of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the context of their service. To do otherwise is to diminish their legal status, honour and respect for the rights of others.

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