Last modified: 24 May 2018 18:57
The course explores the history, nature and salient features of the the laws and customs of war, also called international humanitarian law (IHL). The laws are enshrined, inter alia, in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977. The principles of distinction, humanity, necessity and proportionality as applied to contemporary armed conflicts are examined. The course emphasises the rules and challenges pertaining to civilian immunity, occupation, legal controls on weapons and how IHL is implemented and enforced. It also clarifies the differences/complementarity between IHL and international human rights law and the law on the use of force.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | None. | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Part I - Introduces IHL - a) nature, sources and scope of IHL; - b) basic principles of IHL—distinction, humanity, proportionality, necessity; and - c) IHL and general international law. Part II - The Conduct of Hostilities - a) combatant status, definition & controversies; - b) the conduct of combat and the Protection of combatants –rules; - c) the protection of civilians; and - d) legal controls on weapons. Part III - Protection of victims of Armed Conflict: - a) Prisoners of war , the wounded, sick and shipwrecked, and civilians. Part IV- Particular Types of Conflict: - a) belligerent occupation—the rights and duties of the occupying power vs. the population; - b) peacekeeping and peace enforcement and IHL; and - c) Internal armed conflict. Part V - Implementation and Enforcement - a) dissemination and enforcement of IHL—general principles, difficulties, duty to disseminate, protecting power, and the role of the ICRC; - b) criminal sanctions.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
First attempt: 30% coursework (2500 words) and 70% exam (2 hours). Resit: 100% two hour examination, to be taken at the next diet.
There are no assessments for this course.
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