Protection of cultural property and environment during armed conflict under international humanitarian law

Abstract

The introductory part deals with the personality of an individual which relies heavily on culture and environment, then it mentions about the armed conflicts which ruin the culture and environment to a large extent; it also discusses the importance of these two elements that have also been realized by the oldest civilizations of the world and their customs and traditions being followed at that time for their protection. The second and third parts; deal with Protection of Cultural Property and Environment whilst referring to all the treaties, conventions, customary rules and statutes for the protection of these two elements. This paper also discusses the Iraq conflict, recent attack of Israel at Gaza in Philistine and Vietnam War, to make out how far the laws have been effective and to what extent they are being implemented or followed or is there any lacunae in the protection of Cultural Property and Environment which is the main focus of this article. The last part deals with the conclusion and suggests how things can be improved.