Human Rights Violations are No (Video) Games

A study conducted by two Swiss human rights organizations, Trial and Pro Juventute, has reportedly found that some video games depict actions that would constitute violations to international human rights laws in real life. More precisely, the researchers focused on International Humanitarian Law (IHL), basic norms of International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and International Criminal Law (ICL). The study was reportedly conducted as follows: gamers played 20 different games, while three attorneys observed the games in order to pinpoint which actions violated armed conflict rules and regulations.

It has been reported that the organizations in charge of the study have made the following statement: "The practically complete absence of rules or sanctions is nevertheless astonishing: civilians or protected objects such as churches or mosques can be attacked with impunity, in scenes portraying interrogations it is possible to torture, degrade or treat the prisoner inhumanely without being sanctioned for it and extrajudicial executions are simulated." The groups also reportedly noted that there were a few games that reprimanded the killing of civilians and that rewarded strategies aimed at preventing damages.

However, the organizations behind the study have allegedly stated that the study's purpose was not to prohibit the games or to make them less violent but rather, on a going forward basis, to have developers observe human rights laws and make it clear to gamers that human rights violations cannot be tolerated, even in a game setting.

Coverage at News.cnet.com