Contemporary Challenges and New Developments in International Humanitarian Law

The registration is now open for a new edition of the online course

3 March 2015, Geneva, Switzerland - The registration is now open for a new edition of the course “International Humanitarian Law: Contemporary Challenges and New Developments” that will take place from 16 March to 10 April 2015.

This four-module course provides participants with an advanced knowledge of International Humanitarian Law and offers an innovative analysis of the legal uncertainties surrounding new-age military capabilities, namely drones and other advanced weaponry systems.

Recent conflicts have demonstrated that the ravages of war continue to have a devastating impact on those not directly involved in the conflict, particularly the civilian population. From the available data, it is estimated that 80 to 90 percent of war victims are civilians. Today, millions of people across the world are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. It is of utmost importance to relieve the suffering of civilian victims and those hors de combat by providing them with the necessary humanitarian assistance on the ground. It is equally important to train those involved in armed conflicts. Members of armed forces, national relief organizations, humanitarian NGOs, and civil society must all understand the laws and customs of warfare as a first step towards applying these laws during the heat of armed conflict.

In addition, we are currently witnessing changes in the nature of armed conflicts. In traditional interstate wars, countries were absorbed by conflicts between themselves. Now, civil wars and the fighting against unidentifiable terrorists groups present a new challenge to International Humanitarian Law. Likewise, the means of war have dramatically changed with the invention of sophisticated weaponry such as combat drones, lethal autonomous weapons, etc. Further, more sophisticated arms are currently being developed. These new technical developments have created uncertainties from both legal and ethical points of view. Indeed, how can a drone pilot sitting in his cabin in the desert of Nevada be able to distinguish between a civilian and a combatant in Pakistan? Also, is it conceivable that a machine can select, target and kill on the basis of its own autonomous working process without any human intervention?

This course tries to come up with answers to these complex new developments in the field of International Humanitarian Law. The deadline for application is 14 March 2014.

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