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By APD writer Melo M. Acuña
The Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) did a survey on 16,000 millennials from 16 different countries on their views on war.
In a statement released today, it was learned millennials see catastrophic war as a real likelihood in their lifetime. Most of the respondents said they believe it is more likely than not that a nuclear attack may occur in the next decade.
The survey was conducted in 16 countries and territories last year, roughly half in peace and half in conflict and commissioned by the ICRC explored the millennials’ stand on conflict, the future of warfare and the values underpinning international humanitarian law, which include the use of torture against enemy combatants.
According to the results, millennials are nervous about the future and heightened tensions globally are likely to deepen these fears.
Nearly 47 percent believe it’s more likely than not that there will be a third world war in their lifetime. Although 84 percent believe the use of nuclear weapons is never acceptable, 54 percent believe it is more likely than not that a nuclear attack will occur in the next ten years.
“This millennial foreboding may reflect the increase in polarization and dehumanizing rhetoric,” said ICRC President Peter Maurer. He said if millennials are right about a third world war, the suffering of countries and regions will be immense.
“It’s a reminder of how critical it is that the laws of war that protect humanity are followed now, and in the future,” he further explained.
On another plane, 74 percent of millennials also believe that wars are avoidable and nearly the same number or 75 percent think that limits must be imposed on how wars are fought.
The ICRC said the survey reveals worrying trends that underscore the lack of respect for the basic human values according to international law as 37 percent believe torture is acceptable under some circumstances even after the UN convention banning torture is explained to them. It was found out 15 percent believe that commanders should do whatever it takes to win, regardless of the civilian casualties generated.
The statement added one thing is clear as the survey showed the experience of war makes people hate war as in Syria, 98 percent said it’s never acceptable to use nnuclear weapons as 96 percent said it’s never acceptable to use chemical weapons as 96 percent said the same of biological weapons with 85 percent believe captured enemy fighters should be allowed to contact their relatives.
“Those four responses were the highest of the survey’s 16 countries,” the statement added.
“When you see your friends and family suffer the horrors of warfare, you want absolutely nothing to do with the weapons of war. The survey responses from millennials in Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan confirm for us an obvious fact, the experience of war makes you hate war,” Maurer explained.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
