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Lucknow, October 6, : : Amity Law School, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, commenced a two-day International Seminar today to deliberate on the changing nature of military conflicts across the world and the expanding definition of modern war crimes. The seminar, being organised on the theme “Expanding the Definition of War Crimes to Reflect Modern Conflict: Balancing State Sovereignty with International Accountability,” is being conducted in hybrid mode, with participation through both online and offline platforms.
The seminar was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Justice Dr. Devendra Kumar Arora (Retd.), High Court of Judicature at Allahabad; Keynote Speaker Prof. (Dr.) Rashida Ather, Department of Human Rights, School for Legal Rights, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University; Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Tiwari, Pro Vice Chancellor, Amity University Lucknow Campus; and Prof. (Dr.) Tapan Kumar Chandola, Director, Amity Law School, Lucknow Campus, by lighting the ceremonial lamp.
The inaugural session began with an opening address by Dr. Anupriya Yadav, Assistant Professor, Amity Law School, followed by Ganesh Vandana and felicitation of the guests. Dr. Jyotsna Singh, Convenor of the International Seminar, presented the concept note outlining the theme and objectives of the seminar. The souvenir of the seminar was also released virtually.
Welcoming the guests and participants, Prof. (Dr.) Tapan Kumar Chandola said that the methods of warfare and the nature of war crimes have evolved with time. He said that bringing experts together on a common platform to share their experiences and perspectives would contribute significantly towards understanding the changing dimensions of war crimes and developing future strategies and policies.
Prof. (Dr.) Anil Kumar Tiwari said that conventional methods of warfare have undergone a major transformation. He observed that in the age of Artificial Intelligence, super intelligence, cyber intelligence, information technology and the internet, identifying real threats and ensuring security against them have emerged as new challenges.
Keynote Speaker Prof. (Dr.) Rashida Ather said that, in the present scenario, existing international laws designed to protect civilians from the threats of war are no longer adequate. While the direct destruction caused by bombs and ammunition is visible and can be assessed, it is extremely difficult to quantify the loss of life and property caused by cyberattacks and attacks carried out through Artificial Intelligence. She emphasised that such attacks should also be brought within the ambit of war crimes.
She also spoke about the First Geneva Convention, human rights and international solidarity against war crimes. She said that attacks on civilian installations, as well as energy and nuclear facilities during armed conflicts, should also be treated as war crimes.
Hon’ble Justice Dr. Devendra Kumar Arora (Retd.) said that technological advancement has also transformed the methods of warfare. In such a scenario, he observed, the role of law in fixing responsibility for crimes committed during armed conflicts becomes increasingly important.
Erico G. Villanueva, J.D., International Corporate Lawyer, MNA Ventures, Dubai, UAE, also addressed the inaugural session virtually as the Guest of Honour.
A panel discussion was subsequently organised, featuring Prof. (Dr.) Varun Chhachhar, Faculty of Law, University of Lucknow, and Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Sinha, Vice Chancellor, Dharmashastra National Law University, Jabalpur. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Srijan Mishra, Amity Law School, Lucknow Campus.
The first day of the seminar featured two technical sessions focusing on emerging dimensions of modern warfare. The first session deliberated on cyber warfare, Artificial Intelligence and autonomous weapon systems, with experts discussing their growing impact on contemporary armed conflicts and the legal challenges arising from them. The second technical session focused on environmental damage during armed conflicts, including environmental warfare and the protection of ecological systems.
The two-day seminar will conclude on October 7 with the valedictory session, which will further deliberate on contemporary conflicts, international accountability, universal jurisdiction and state responsibility.
