Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ In a recent media conference, Dr Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah spoke on the ongoing situation in Gaza, expressing concerns about collective punishment while also highlighting the importance of humanitarian law and the principle of proportionality.
Dr Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah asserted that the current state of affairs amounted to collective punishment. The stark reality of the situation in Gaza was laid bare, emphasizing the devastating impact on civilian population. He questioned the proportionality of the response, drawing attention to the dire conditions faced by the people in Gaza, including the lack of infrastructure, electricity, food, running water, and sanitation.
Dr Sriskandarajah shifted the focus to humanitarian law, stressing that the issue was not about questioning Israel’s right to defend itself but rather about upholding international humanitarian standards. Reference was made to the obligation to take every feasible measure before targeting places such as hospitals, and the critical need for proportionality in the use of force.
A poignant moment in the media conference was when it was mentioned that a child in Gaza was dying every ten minutes, bringing the human cost of the conflict to the forefront. The dire conditions in Gaza, with its densely populated areas and bombings even in supposed safe zones, were described as a form of collective punishment on a population that had no involvement in the events in Israel.
The discussion further delved into the scarcity of resources in Gaza, including the use of food as a weapon of war. The speakers expressed dismay at the situation in 2023, where over 10,000 people, including many children, were facing the consequences of the conflict, while political leaders seemed reluctant to call for a ceasefire. As the world witnesses the unfolding tragedy, this media conference serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for international intervention and a collective call for peace. The ethical dimensions of the conflict, particularly regarding proportionality and the impact on civilians, demand careful consideration and immediate action.
