Asia and The Pacific

Following years of interactions with the ICRC, the Nepalese Army have implemented IHL into their military training in 1997. This was included as a requirement by law in the Army Act in 2006.

Schools in Jammu and Kashmir run an international humanitarian law (IHL) programme and Indian universities provide courses in IHL. The humanitarian ideals of IHL find foundation in Indian historical and religious works.

In 2009, the Commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance issued a Tactical Directive in order to reduce civilian casualties in operations in Afghanistan. This was notably seen as an operational issue since loss of popular support was deemed decisive in the struggle. This resulted in both significant security gains and reduced civilian casualties. In 2016, two former high-level military officials were advocating for the same measures to be taken in current conflicts.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front unilaterally committed to a total ban on anti-personnel mines in its conflict with the Government of the Philippines. Its commitment is being used as an example for other non-state armed groups in the Philippines.

Followings its ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty, the Government of Thailand has taken significant steps to destroy its stockpile of antipersonnel mines, de-mine land and provide community education about the risks of landmines. Casualties from landmines have fallen considerably in the following decades.

Implemented in 2008, the Civilian Casualty Tracking Cell (CCTC) was created within the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan to collect data on civilian casualties. This mechanism resulted in the issuance of new tactical directives and guidelines by ISAF and NATO in an effort to mitigate civilian casualties. As a result, civilian casualty rates caused by pro-government forces significantly dropped in the following year.

During the armed conflict that took place between Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) until 2009, the parties and international actors worked together to remove landmines.

In the lead up to peace talks, the Nepalese government released hundreds of Maoist rebels previously detained in the conflict.

The Supreme Court of Nepal has played an important role in ensuring Nepal’s compliance with IHL, with key decisions on the grounds for detention and the legality of amnesties.