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The Nanjing Massacre

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The Nanjing Massacre

The Nanjing Massacre, alternatively referred to as the Rape of Nanking, transpired from

1937 to 1938 as Japanese forces subdued the Chinese metropolis of Nanjing (formerly Nanking)

during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The subsequent exposition provides a concise synopsis of

the fundamental characteristics encompassing the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the

Nanjing Massacre:

Who: On December 13, 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army, led by General Iwane Matsui,

captured Nanjing. Unarmed Chinese military and citizens were among those who perished.

What: The Nanjing Massacre comprised an extensive array of atrocities committed

against the Chinese populace, such as mass executions, assaults, plundering, and various other

forms of barbarism. It is widely believed that tens of thousands of Chinese women were violated

and hundreds of thousands of Chinese were murdered, although estimates vary.

When: The atrocity transpired over a span of six weeks, commencing in mid-December

1937 and concluding in January 1938.

Where: The massacre took place in Nanjing, the capital of the Republic of China at the

time. The horrors and bloodshed happened across the city and its environs.

Why: The reasons for the massacre are complicated, including issues such as the war's

harshness, racial tensions, and the dehumanization of the opponent. The Imperial Japanese Army

used intimidation and retaliation to destroy Chinese opposition and achieve authority.

How: The Nanjing Massacre utilized a variety of techniques, including mass shootings,

bayoneting, beheadings, and extensive sexual abuse against women and girls (Augustyn, 2018).
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When details of the crimes became publicly known, the world community was astounded by

their scope and severity.

In terms of international humanitarian law (IHL), several principles and rules were

violated during the Nanjing Massacre. (USC Shoah Foundation, 2023) These include:

Distinction: This concept compels conflict parties to differentiate between civilians and

fighters. A vast number of people were deliberately targeted and killed during the Nanjing

Massacre.

Prohibition of Indiscriminate strikes: International humanitarian law forbids strikes that

do not differentiate between civilian and military objectives. This criterion was broken in

Nanjing due to the broad and indiscriminate character of the violence.

Prohibition of Rape and Sexual Violence: The rape of women and girls during the

Nanjing Massacre is a blatant breach of International Humanitarian Law, which forbids sexual

violence and other types of harsh treatment.

Respect for the Rights of the Injured and Ill: According to reports, injured and ill people

were also targeted during the massacre, breaking the concept of protecting and caring for those

who are no longer fighting.

To improve and strengthen international humanitarian law, efforts should focus on:

Strengthening IHL enforcement measures to guarantee responsibility for individuals who

commit war crimes, including establishing competent international courts.

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Education and Training: Increasing knowledge and compliance with humanitarian

standards during armed conflicts by promoting IHL education and training for military

personnel, policymakers, and the general public (Margolin, 2006).

Early Warning and Prevention: Developing systems for early warning and prevention of

mass atrocities, as well as diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives to reduce the effect of wars on

civilian populations.

International collaboration: Encouraging enhanced international cooperation to resolve

conflicts and prevent mass crimes from occurring again, emphasizing diplomatic solutions and

conflict resolution.

Civilian Protection: Strengthening the legal framework for civilian protection in armed

situations, emphasizing the significance of noncombatants' rights, and providing safe zones for

individuals impacted by hostilities.

War Crimes Prosecution: Encouraging nations to prosecute people who commit war

crimes, particularly those perpetrated during past wars. This fosters an accountability and justice

culture. (USC Shoah Foundation, 2023)

While substantial progress has been achieved in the establishment and implementation of

international humanitarian law since the Nanjing Massacre, continued efforts are required to

adapt to modern problems and maintain civilian protection throughout armed conflicts (Margolin,

2006). International collaboration and a collective commitment to respecting IHL principles are

critical in building a society in which tragedies like the Nanjing Massacre are less likely to occur,

and those guilty are held accountable.

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Reference

Augustyn, A. (2018). Nanjing Massacre | Summary & Facts. In Encyclopædia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Nanjing-Massacre

Margolin, J.-L. (2006). Japanese Crimes in Nanjing, 1937-38: A Reappraisal. China Perspectives,

2006(1). https://doi.org/10.4000/chinaperspectives.571

USC Shoah Foundation. (2023). Nanjing Massacre. USC Shoah Foundation.

https://sfi.usc.edu/collections/nanjing-massacre