by Dr. Bhavana Chandran, and Dr. Udaya Simha
Abstract: IHL scholarship has progressively moved beyond Eurocentric narratives into the analysis of regional contributions and practices. This article builds on such scholarship by outlining history and evolution of international humanitarian law in the Asia-Pacific through treaties, customary law, and State practice. It takes an exploratory look at how colonial legacies, post-independence conflicts, and regional security realities shape the interpretation and application of IHL. While humanitarian norms are mostly sanctioned by States in the Asia-Pacific region, implementation gaps still persist due to political and operational realities of warfare. This study goes on to contend that the experience of the regions in the Asia-Pacific reflect how IHL develops from the interaction between normative ideals and practice by States in armed conflict.
Keywords:
