Humanitarian Law and Human Rights in Glo

This course explores the foundational and advanced dimensions of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), alongside relevant aspects of International Human Rights Law (IHRL) as they apply to situations of armed conflict. Designed for students interested in the legal regulation of contemporary warfare, the course focuses on providing the conceptual and practical tools to identify, interpret, and apply international legal norms in real-world conflict situations. It examines the mechanisms through which legal rules are developed, implemented, and enforced, including the role of international courts and tribunals in addressing violations.

Case studies drawn from recent and ongoing conflicts—such as in Ukraine, Gaza, Ethiopia, Congo, Syria, Yemen, and Myanmar—serve as the backbone of the course’s analytical approach. These are methodically examined through a case analysis framework developed specifically for this course, enabling students to break down humanitarian crises into legally relevant components and formulate appropriate responses grounded in IHL and IHRL. This analytical work is complemented by a focused introduction to the core principles of international criminal law, including the structure and substance of landmark war crimes cases. Students will engage with the legal elements of crimes such as willful killing, torture, attacks on civilians, and the use of prohibited methods of warfare, drawing on key jurisprudence from international tribunals and courts.

The course supports the development of legal reasoning, critical thinking, and research skills. Students will learn to articulate law-based, action-oriented proposals and define key legal questions relevant for academic work and professional practice—whether in international organizations, the media, or humanitarian institutions. By the end of the semester, participants will have a solid understanding of IHL’s core principles, terminology, and legal architecture, and will be equipped to navigate and respond to the complex legal challenges presented by modern armed conflict.

Key issues discussed include the legal protection of internees, prisoners, and hostages under the Geneva Conventions; the erosion of civilian protection in asymmetric warfare, especially where individuals participate directly in hostilities or are used as human shields; the regulation of indiscriminate attacks and destruction of civilian infrastructure, including the legal implications of missiles, drones, autonomo