Nuclear Disarmament

October 16, 2016 | Drafted by Vinod Malik

On September 21, 2016, the Union Cabinet approved the enactment of the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill 2016. The Bill repeals five obsolete British statutes on admiralty jurisdiction in civil matters, namely, (a) Admiralty Court Act, 1840 (b) Admiralty Court Act, 1861, (c) Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act, 1890.

Mr. Martin Butcher from Oxfam started the presentations by discussing areas of in the Middle East where explosive weapons in populated areas have been identified. A variety of rockets and bombs are being used in Syria and in Yemen, and it is believed that Mosul, Iraq will be subjected to explosive weapons when the government starts its offensive to recapture the city from the Islamic State. In Aleppo, Syria, the civilian area has been massively destroyed, including the water mains, depriving civilians who remain in the city access to clean water. In Yemen, he stated his belief that both sides of the war were committing international humanitarian law violations, noting that many interviewed refugees claim to have left their cities due to the bombings in civilian areas. Lastly, in Mosul, Iraq, the city is currently occupied by the Islamic State. More than three million people are displaced throughout the country and 1.2 million civilians remain in Mosul. He noted that the Iraqi government is prepared for a full frontal and quick liberation attempt, which he believes will undoubtedly result in civilian causalities.