Course type
Location
Objectives
• Summarise, and explain the rules of IHL.
• Evaluate situations, assess how those situations would be classified under IHL, and know where to find the applicable law.
• Identify situations that are at risk of being non-compliance with IHL and understand when additional support might be necessary.
• Explain the role of the United Nations and ICRC in applying and monitoring IHL
• Recall where to find relevant information to support an IHL-informed decision-making.
• A Study trip to: One of the United Nations Office in Rome.
Who the course is for
This Course is principally addressed to humanitarian practitioners, policymakers and other professionals who are keen on understanding how and when this body of law applies, and whom it protects.
Description
In this interactive course, you will go through the questions relating to International Humanitarian Law (IHL). You will learn about the origins and sources of this body of law, as well as to which situations it applies. You will also learn how to distinguish international from non-international armed conflicts. You will find out more about the specific rules protecting civilians, detainees, the wounded and sick, as well as medical personnel.
By the end of this course, you will have a better grasp of the key principles in IHL that regulate the conduct of hostilities - distinction, proportionality and precautions – and will be able to illustrate how they limit the effects of armed conflict on the civilian population. Finally, you will also learn how IHL is implemented, what happens when violations occur, and what the ICRC’s role is in promoting respect for this body of law.
Course outline
Day 1: Introduction to International Humanitarian Law
• Definition and nature of IHL
• Purpose of IHL
• Sources of IHL
• Historical development (from The Hague to Geneva)
• Fundamental Principles of IHL
Day 2: Fundamental Principles of IHL
• Principle of Humanity – protection of life and dignity
• Principle of Distinction – between civilians and combatants
• Principle of Proportionality – limiting excessive force
• Principle of Military Necessity – restricting use of force to legitimate objectives
• Principle of Precaution – obligation to avoid or minimize civilian harm
Day3: Protection under International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
• Protection of Civilians in armed conflict
• Protection of the wounded, sick, and shipwrecked
• Treatment of prisoners of war (POWs)
• Protection of humanitarian personnel, journalists, and medical units
• Protection of cultural property and the environment
Day 4: The Implementation and Enforcement of IHL
• National implementation (legislation, dissemination, military training)
• International mechanisms for supervision and enforcement
• ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross)
• Protecting Powers and Fact-Finding Commission (Article 90, AP I)
• United Nations mechanisms (Security Council, ICC, Human Rights Council)
• War crimes and accountability: national and international prosecutions
• Role of NGOs and civil society in IHL promotion
Day 5: Challenges and Future of IHL
• New forms of warfare (cyber warfare, drones, AI weapons)
• Non-state armed groups and asymmetric warfare
• The intersection of IHL and counterterrorism
• Strengthening compliance through diplomacy and accountability mechanisms
A Study trip to: The United Nations Office of FAO in Rome
