Water as a Weapon and Casualty of Conflict: Freshwater and International Humanitarian Law

Abstract

International humanitarian law has failed to adequately address and protect critical basic civilian infrastructure, especially water resources and managed water systems, because the laws themselves are insufficient or inadequately enforced. This paper addresses the role of violence against water and water systems in the context of international humanitarian laws. Data are presented that suggest an increasing trend of water-related conflicts and recent incidents of violence against natural or built water systems are described. Strategies for improving international systems for protecting critical water infrastructure are presented.