The weapons usage, destruction of structures and refineries, fire, military transportation and chemical release all are the examples of the devastating effects of war on the environment. In general, the effects of the war on the environment are broadly divided into the following: 1. Habitats destruction, 2.Tramp and Human asylum, 3.destruction of plants and animals species, 4.Demolition of urban infrastructure, 5.Sudden increases in food production and destruction of natural resources, 6.Environmental damage strategies (for example: Firing the buildings, agriculture land, forests), 7.illegal hunting, 8.Biological, chemical and nuclear weapons contamination, all these and wars caused irreparable damage to the environment and the following it’s also mentioned:
Chernobyl nuclear power plant blast in Ukraine (1986) (The radioactive radiation cause by this disaster is still present and its probably continue up to year 2065), Attacks to the America pearl Harbor port by Japan (second world war), War between Iran and Iraq (1980) (large sections of the lakes between Iran and Iraq for the military purpose has been dried and now made problematic issues as a dust critical areas for both countries), War between Iraq and Kuwait (1990) (Hundreds of oil’s wells has been fire which destroyed the water and marine resources and air), Kosovo war (1996-1999), India and Pakistan nuclear activities (1998), New York world trade center explosion (2001), ISIS terrorists group presence in west Asia (2003), North Korea nuclear activities (2006, 2009, 2019).
The effective activities which it has done during the conflicts and war to reduce the destruction to the environment are: No landmine and see mine, No redirection of rivers, No use of chemical and nuclear bombs, No forests fires and no drying wetlands.
The article 53 of Hague 1949 convention is declared that: Destruction any real and personal property by the occupying forces individually or collectively its prohibited by private persons, governments, public authorities, social and Cooperative organizations, unless such destruction is absolutely necessary for military operation.
Paragraph 147 of 1949 convention is emphasized on unjustified destruction and unlawfully confiscation of property which are not justified for military necessity and all of this activities is convention violation.
According to the UNESCO 2030 Agenda, goals 14 and 15 declare that: conserve and sustain-ably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development and protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustain-ably manage, combat desertification, and halt and reserve land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. According to the government of Iran accession to the bio safety protocol, the law to the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage convention and approval law of international convention for the protection plants; the Iranian government is ordered to protect the environment and minimizing the damage to the environment.
Its hope that by increasing the sense of responsibility and awareness among the people entire the world and also by reducing the armed conflict and war inside the countries and between the countries to preventing damage to the environment and protecting the natural resources for future generations.
Media Department of the Defense of Human Rights Association in Iran
Produce and Edit: Melika Ahmadi Sabzevari
Written by: Irandokht Kia – Ali Ahmadi Malek
Voice: Melika Ahmadi Sabzevari
Translated by Mehrab Zarei
