A study report called 'War Watch' has concluded that international laws designed to reduce the impact of war and punish perpetrators are being broken.

The report prepared by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights has reached this conclusion. The study surveyed 23 armed conflicts around the world over the past 18 months. The report shows that more than 100,000 civilians have been killed in wars around the world during this period. Similarly, rape and torture have also been seen. However, no action has been taken against the perpetrators. The study also states that 18,592 children have been killed in Gaza. Similarly, the number of civilian deaths in Ukraine is also increasing. Similarly, the report also mentions that there is an epidemic of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study states that international initiatives to control these and other incidents of violence are lacking. The study's lead author, Stuart Kasi Maslen, says, "Heavy crimes are being repeated. Because past crimes have been tolerated." Our actions determine whether international law will disappear or remain.’

The laws of war were created after the end of World War II. The Geneva Conventions of 1949 played a key role in the development of this law. The main goal is to protect civilians from the effects of civil wars and wars between countries. 

‘War Watch’ surveyed 23 armed conflicts around the world from July 2024 to the end of 2025. ‘We do not know how many civilians were killed during this period. But it is known that more than 100,000 civilians are killed every two years,’ the study said.

The results of this report state, ‘There has been widespread impunity and serious violations of international humanitarian law on a large scale. While there have been few attempts to prosecute war crimes.  The study also stated that the total population of the Palestinian Gaza Strip has decreased by 254,000 since the Israeli offensive began in October 2023. The study also found that a large number of people were killed even after the ceasefire in October 2025. 

The War Watch study also found that 2,514 people were killed in Ukraine in 2025.  That is,  more than in 2023 and 2024. Russian drone attacks have deliberately targeted civilians  and millions of families have lost electricity and basic services.

Sexual and gender-based violence is rampant in the armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study says that sexual violence is an epidemic here. All sides in the war seem to be involved in sexual violence. As a result, women and girls are the victims.

In Sudan, brutal incidents of sexual violence were seen after rebels captured El Fasher in October 2025. “Surviving women described being gang-raped by RS fighters,” the study says, “sometimes in the presence of other family members.” ’

According to the Geneva Conventions, every country must respect and comply with international humanitarian law in all circumstances. However, this is not the case in practice. As a result, crime has increased in war-torn societies. 

‘It seems that serious violations of international law and the impunity seen in such incidents must be fought. This must be made a priority,’ says the War Watch study. Its authors suggest that some measures can be adopted to reduce war crimes.

One of those measures is to ‘not sell or ban the sale and distribution of weapons in areas where international law is at risk of being violated. This must be agreed upon by all countries and strictly adhered to.’

International law is based on treaties and agreements made between nations at various times to ensure international cooperation, economy, peace, security and human rights.