Leadership crucial in respect for the law of war: ICRC official
Leadership crucial in respect for the law of war: ICRC official
BANDUNG (JP): Leadership is a crucial factor in ensuring
observance of the law of war in combat situations because
soldiers base their actions on superiors' orders, according to
Toni Pfanner, the head of the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) delegation to South East Asia.
"Leadership is especially important in a situation where it is
difficult for soldiers to distinguish between civilians and
combatants. That is where commanders should give them clear
instructions, otherwise troops will behave in the way they are
trained to," Pfanner said in a lecture on the international
humanitarian law, or the law of war.
Wednesday's lecture was part of a series of courses on the law
of war and human rights held by the Bandung-based Army Education
and Training Doctrine Command (Kodiklat). One thousand military
instructors and education and planning officers have taken part
in the program.
The program began on Oct. 21 and ended on Thursday.
Pfanner said that in Indonesia's conflict areas -- Aceh, East
Timor and Irian Jaya -- it is difficult to distinguish between
combatants and non-combatants due to the guerrilla tactics used
by insurgent groups.
In the city, armed separatists, or GPK, do not carry weapons,
but arm themselves when they are back in the forest.
"In such a situation, civilian casualties cannot be avoided.
However, you must try to minimize collateral damage," Pfanner
said.
Pfanner also denied a link between education and respect for
the law of war.
"I don't think there's a relationship between one's
educational background and respect for the law of war, not in the
military, where troops simply carry out orders. Intelligence and
intellect are only important at the commanding level, where
officers should understand the consequences behind a decision,"
said Pfanner.
He said rote learning of the five principles of Pancasila, the
Soldier's Oath and the seven Sapta Marga Pledges -- which would
transform the country into "a nation of angels" if observed --
might have impaired Indonesians' ability to understanding what
lies behind their rhetoric.
"When you understand something, for example a law, you know
why it was created, what lies behind it and the consequences of
violating it. That is the difference between learning something
and understanding something," said Pfanner.
Despite frequently being accused of failing to observe the law
of war and respect human rights, Pfanner said he had noticed
significant changes in the attitude of members of the upper
echelons of the Armed Forces.
"At least at the leadership level, high-ranking officers that
I've met have shown a significant change in their attitude and
that is important, because respect for a law is about attitude,"
Pfanner said. (lem)