Countering urban violence under IHL.

Abstract

People have always been attracted by the idea of living in well-developed cities that provide better standard of living. Cities are often termed as ‗engines of prosperity‘ but they are plagued by overcrowding, poor hygiene conditions, poverty, social exclusion, violence and crime due to migration of people from rural to urban sites. There are various factors that have contributed to violence i.e. political or economic instability, proliferation of small arms and the presence of gangs or other organized groups. Violence has affected daily life of citizens by not only causing harm to them but also instilling fear among them. The law within the state has failed to curb the violence. We need to find that can international humanitarian law helps us to curb violence? The question addressed herein is if, and to what extent, it is desirable to apply the standards international humanitarian law and regional human rights systems to address urban violence. The focus of research will be urban violence in context of Latin America, Africa, Libya and Pakistan. We will discuss in detail the inadequacy of domestic law and international humanitarian law in situations of violence. Furthermore, the need for an adequate legal regime so as to fill the legal void that is created at times when neither the domestic laws are capable to curb a situation of violence nor international humanitarian laws are applicable due to lack of definition shall also be discussed.