IN THE SHADOW OF WAR CLOUDS: HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE THREAT OF A THIRD WORLD WAR?

Abstract

This research paper focuses on the protection of human rights in the war like situation. In the present scenario of escalating geopolitical rivalry, nuclear modernization and the augmentation of cyber, The emergence of autonomous weapons driven by artificial intelligence and autonomous weapon system have revived the idea and such idea may lead to the situation of Third World War. This research paper critically evaluates the effectiveness of international legal framework in conflict situation and also identifies the potential gaps in the observation of human rights law in a massive amount of armed conflicts. It interrogates the resilience of International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law with different conventions, treaties, protocols. This paper drags the attention on historical events during World War First and World War Second and contemporary conflicts and recent development in the protection and observation of human rights law after the setting up of United Nation Organization. It examines treaty norms like UDHR, ICCPR, ICESCR, CAT, CRC, CEDAW and Refugee Conventions. It concludes with policy recommendations to mitigate the human rights harms of major power conflict while reinforcing the international legal order.