Write an essay about russia ukraine war international law issue
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Russia-Ukraine War: An International Law Issue
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is not only a matter of geopolitical tension but also a significant international law issue. The war, which began in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, has raised numerous concerns related to sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the violation of international norms. This essay aims to explore the key international law aspects of the Russia-Ukraine war and highlight the implications for the global community.
1. Violation of Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty
One of the fundamental principles of international law is the respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations. Russia’s annexation of Crimea and subsequent military intervention in eastern Ukraine represent clear violations of these principles. The United Nations Charter explicitly prohibits the acquisition of territory by force, and the international community has overwhelmingly condemned Russia’s actions as illegal.
2. Non-Intervention and Non-Aggression
International law also upholds the principles of non-intervention and non-aggression between states. These principles are enshrined in various treaties and customary international law. By intervening militarily in Ukraine, Russia has violated these principles, undermining the stability and security of the region. The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life, displacement of civilians, and destruction of infrastructure, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
3. Use of Proxies and Support for Separatist Movements
Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict goes beyond direct military action. There is evidence to suggest that Russia has been providing support to separatist movements in eastern Ukraine, including supplying weapons, troops, and funding. This support violates international law, which prohibits states from interfering in the internal affairs of other nations and supporting armed groups seeking to unsettle sovereign states.
4. Human Rights Violations and War Crimes
The Russia-Ukraine war has been marked by numerous human rights violations and alleged war crimes. Both sides have been accused of indiscriminate shelling, targeting civilian populations, and using prohibited weapons. International law, particularly international humanitarian law and human rights law, provides clear guidelines regarding the protection of civilians during armed conflicts. Any violation of these laws constitutes a breach of international obligations and may be subject to investigation by international tribunals.
5. Failure of Diplomatic Efforts and International Response
The conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the challenges of resolving disputes through diplomatic means. Despite numerous attempts at negotiation and mediation, a peaceful resolution has proven elusive. The international community’s response to the crisis has been mixed, with some countries imposing economic sanctions on Russia while others have called for dialogue and de-escalation.
Conclusion
The Russia-Ukraine war presents a complex international law issue that encompasses violations of territorial integrity, sovereignty, non-intervention, non-aggression, human rights, and humanitarian law. The conflict has created a significant humanitarian crisis and raised concerns about the erosion of established international norms and principles. It is crucial for the global community to continue working towards a peaceful resolution, upholding international law, and ensuring accountability for any violations committed during the course of this conflict. By doing so, we can strive towards a world where conflicts are resolved through peaceful means and where respect for international law serves as the foundation for stability and justice.
