INTRODUCTION 

This module introduces students to International Humanitarian Law. The module examines the content and application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), also known as the “law of armed conflict” or the “law of war”. The module provides basic knowledge of IHL in the context of past and present wars and conflicts. It focuses on the protection of people and objects in international and non-international armed conflicts. The module emphasizes on students developing the skills needed to assess real-life situations against international humanitarian law standards. The module encourages critical thinking and problem solving through active class discussions and in-class team exercises on real-life situations.

OBJECTIVES 

The objectives of the module are:

• To explain what International Humanitarian Law is, its relevance and applicability in situations of armed conflict;
• To examine the principles of international humanitarian law and the issues that arise when international humanitarian law is applied in situations of armed conflict, including gaps in the applicable rules and distorted applications of the rules;
• To critically analyze the legality or otherwise of actions or omissions undertaken by states as well as by non-state actors and individuals involved in situations of armed conflict, whether international or internal to a state;
• To examine the influence of both international and domestic politics as well as non-governmental organizations in the development of the rules of international humanitarian law and the effect of such developments have on the legitimacy and acceptance of such rules;
• To examine the differences and intersections between international humanitarian law and other areas of Public International Law such as International Human Rights Law, International Environmental Law, and International Criminal Law.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module you should be able to:

• Identify and explain the basic principles of international humanitarian law, their sources and enforcement.
• Explain the application of the core principles of international Humanitarian L aw in practice.
• Critically evaluate real-life situations and apply the basic principles of IHL
• Relate the core IHL principles to their application in practice.
• Identify important sources of IHL information and understand how IHL principles could be relevant to their future career.

UNIT 1 – BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW  

UNIT 2 – CONDUCT OF HOSTILITIES (METHODS)

UNIT 3 – PROTECTED PERSONS

UNIT 4 – PROTECTION OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS AND OBJECTS

UNIT 5 – ENFORCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

 

RECOMMENDED READING

Bouvier. A & Sassoli. M. (2006) How Does Law Protect in War. Geneva: International Committee of the Red Cross,

Fleck. D. (2008) The Handbook of Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflict. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Kalshoven F. & Zegveld L. (2001) Constraints on the Waging of War: An Introduction to International Humanitarian Law. Geneva: International Committee of the Red Cross.

Roberts A. & Guelff. R. (2000) Documents on the Laws of War. London: Oxford University Press.

Rogers. A.P.V. (2004) Law on the Battlefield. Manchester: Manchester University Press.