Civilian Protection in Multidomain Conflicts: Legal and Humanitarian Perspectives on Operation Sindoor

Strategic Insights -

In a landmark seminar hosted by the India Study Centre at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with Mishal Pakistan, experts gathered to discuss the intricacies of civilian protection in multidomain conflicts. The seminar, titled "Civilian Protection in Multidomain Conflicts: Legal and Humanitarian Perspectives on Operation Sindoor," brought together prominent experts to shed light on the violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in the conflict. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, a key speaker, emphasized that India's actions during Operation Sindoor resulted in 40 deaths, including those of children and women, and were in clear violation of international humanitarian law.

Key Takeaways:

  • **Pattern of unremitting hostility**: Ambassador Sohail Mahmood emphasized that India's actions in Operation Sindoor must be seen as a continuum and part of a trajectory of serial abuses of human rights in IIOJK.
  • **International law and its interaction with politics**: Mr. Ahmer Bilal Soofi highlighted that international law provides essential principles, but political leaders often prioritize their strategic preferences, overshadowing legal imperatives.
  • **Importance of mechanisms for addressing atrocities**: Mr. Bilal Soofi stressed the need for effective mechanisms to address atrocities against civilians in conflict zones, emphasizing the importance of strengthening mechanisms for legal documentation.
  • **Need for a Tribunal to investigate civilian casualties**: Mr. Bilal Soofi suggested that a Tribunal dedicated to investigating harm to civilians resulting from Indian action during the May 2025 conflict could be one legal recourse.
  • **Erosion of humanitarian principles**: Dr. Talat Shabbir noted that the tragedy of Operation Sindoor has underscored the grim reality of how civilians often bear the brunt of military conflict in which the attacker is not caring about civilian casualties on the ground.
  • **Weakening mechanisms for international law enforcement**: Mr. Oves Anwar underscored that India exploits international law as a political weapon, and linked this erosion of international law to Israeli aggression on Palestine, stressing weak enforcement mechanisms that allow states like India and Israel to act with impunity.
  • **Need for multilateral platforms and mechanisms**: Mr. Anwar suggested that Pakistan should focus on strengthening and prioritizing multilateral platforms and mechanisms to ensure its position is heard and reinforced at the international level.

Statistics:

  • **40 deaths during Operation Sindoor**: Ambassador Sohail Mahmood noted that India's actions during the conflict resulted in 40 deaths, including those of children and women.
  • **Civilians bearing the brunt of conflict**: Dr. Talat Shabbir emphasized that civilians often bear the brunt of military conflict, with the attacker not caring about civilian casualties on the ground.
  • **Serial abuses of human rights in IIOJK**: Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted that India's actions in Operation Sindoor must be seen as part of a trajectory of serial abuses of human rights in IIOJK.

Sources:

  • "The India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI)"
  • "Mishal Pakistan"
  • "Ambassador Sohail Mahmood"
  • "Mr. Ahmer Bilal Soofi"
  • "Mr. Rehman Azhar"
  • "Dr. Marium Fatima"
  • "Mr. Muhammad Oves Anwar"
  • "Dr. Talat Shabbir"
  • "Mr. Amir Jahangir"
  • "Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG, ISSI"