Pakistan stooped to a new low even if we were to consider the dubious standards that the rogue nation has set for itself, by violating the Indian airspace. While an F-16 fighter jet was shot down by the IAF, an IAF MiG-21 was also lost in action and an IAF pilot was taken captive by Pakistan. In what can only be described as shameful and disgusting behaviour on the part of the terrorist state, Pakistan tweeted a video of the injured IAF pilot identified as Wing Commander, Abhinandan Varthaman.
While Pakistan military spokesperson, Major General Asif Ghafoor claimed that the IAF pilot was being treated in accordance with the norms of military ethics, experts feel that the act of tweeting his video amounts to a violation of the Geneva Convention. Pakistan had earlier released a video in which the IAF personnel had given his name, rank and service number but he declined to divulge any more information about himself. Later on, the video was deleted. However, releasing a video violates Article 13 of the Geneva Convention. The said provision seeks to protect the prisoners from, inter alia, “insults and public curiosity.” As per Rachel E. VanLandingham, a military justice expert at Southwestern Law School, said, “Releasing the video would be prohibited by that provision.”
Pak Army’s move of first releasing the video and then deleting it brings the act of releasing the video under the scanner. VanLandingham said that it was “clear recognition they shouldn’t have released it.” It must be noted here that both India and Pakistan are signatories to the Geneva Conventions and therefore, Pakistan cannot evade its responsibility under the International Convention. VanLandingham gave further insights into this issue. According to her, there was no military necessity in the present case to release the video and the video was presumably released to humiliate the captured IAF personnel. Thus, Pakistan is clearly in violation of the Geneva Convention. She added that even though there is no formal declaration, an international conflict has arisen and therefore the Convention is applicable.
India has already lodged a strong protest against Pakistan’s acts which violate the Geneva Convention. India has strongly protested against the “vulgar display” of the injured IAF pilot in violation of all norms of the international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention. It is clear that Pakistan has acted in an uncivilised, uncouth and illegal manner. And India must act towards the immediate return of the IAF pilot and also build up pressure upon Pakistan for violation of the internal humanitarian law.
Moreover, by releasing his video and indulging in chest thumping the neighbouring nation has only invited widespread criticism. This will only backfire in a very big way and Pakistan will be forced to release the IAF pilot in wake of increasing international pressure.