Victims Compensation

Solution

   The United Nations should consider victims compensation as a standardized procedure whenever a military confrontation occurs between nations. This is especially true when civilian or other non-military assets are targeted in the conflict. The international community isn't helpless in such matters and should be more proactive in preventing such atrocities around the world.

   For example, the recent America-Iran conflict had many civilian assets targeted by Iran (e.g., oil tankers, hotels, airports, etc.), which were clearly war crimes by the way. Such an act of aggression against innocent civilians could have been prevented if the international community had awarded victims compensation for the destruction that was caused by the offending nation.

   So, when the very first oil tanker was destroyed by Iran, the matter should have been automatically sent to the United Nations' victims compensation division as standard protocol where they would require the offending nation (Iran) to pay the cost of another tanker along with the value of its cargo as victims compensation, including payment for any personnel that were injured/killed. The same for damaging a hotel, airport, or natural resource, the offending nation would be required to pay the full amount in damages, thereby, negating their act of aggression so that nothing would be gained by attacking civilian targets.

   The amount awarded by the international community should be substantial enough to discourage nations from behaving in such a manner (e.g., $25 million USD per person injured/killed plus any structural damages including the cost of the victim defending against such action). If monetary compensation is not feasible then property (land) forfeiture may suffice for the corrective measure.

   This measure should be a standardized procedure by the United Nations and enacted prior to sanctions being imposed, and before military action is considered by the Security Council. The compensation effort needs to be substantial enough to nullify the act of aggression and to deter against such future offense. It is important to impose such measures early in the process to prevent further hostility and harm between the nations. If the offending nation refuses to pay the damages owed then additional measures will take place such as sanctions, trade embargoes, banks/assets frozen, etc., including quarantining the nation (no trade, no travel, food/medicine restricted).

   Another example that qualifies for victims compensation that is a bit different from the norm may be Afghanistan's situation where they were repeatedly invaded by the Taliban from the Pakistan region. If the international community had gotten involved early on and imposed fines against the offender, which is Pakistan since they gave the Taliban safe harbor and were responsible for their behavior (similar to how a dog owner is responsible for any damages that their dog inflicts), Pakistan may have been encouraged to move their military along the border to prevent such attacks. Doing so would have saved many Afghan lives and may have prevented the eventual conquest by the Taliban.

   Another example that qualifies for victims compensation is if the offending nation had acted in an indirect manner. Such as Iran's use of improvised explosive devices against American forces in Iraq. Once America showed the evidence of Iran's hidden involvement behind the scenes, the international community should have held Iran responsible and awarded monetary damages that was substantial enough to discourage them from harming any further. The earlier that the international community would have acted in the matter, the more lives that could have been saved by the measure.

   Victims compensation may also apply for non-military situations as well. As with China's theft of intellectual property. If the international community had awarded compensation of such theft, China may have been discouraged from continuing in such a manner since then.

   Awarding victims compensation for such injustices should not only be considered for future events, but also to rectify past occurrences as well (as those mentioned above among others). Otherwise, offending nations may not learn that their errant behavior will not be tolerated by the international community.

   When this policy is combined with the establishment of a pure democracy within every nation (which removes the power and authority from egoistical leaders), both will reduce the chances of unnecessary and unwarranted military conflicts from occurring in the world.