Event information

12 December 2019, 13:00-14:00

Downloads

Flyer >

Non-State Armed Groups and IHL

Event

Member of an armed group in Colombia Member of an armed group in Colombia

Side Event at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

Compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) by non-State armed groups is a major challenge in today's armed conflicts. While it is accepted that NSAGs are bound by IHL, how they actually view and interpret their international obligations has remained insufficiently explored.

Considering this knowledge gap, Geneva Call and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights have embarked into a research project that aims to increase our understanding of NSAGs’ behaviours in conflict settings in order to strengthen respect for IHL.

This side event at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, co-organized by the Geneva Academy and Geneva Call, will offer the opportunity to present this research project, its rationale and some of its preliminary findings.

Moderator

  • Verity Robson, Legal Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and other International Organizations, Geneva

Panelists

  • Annyssa Bellal, Senior Research Fellow and Strategic Adviser on IHL, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
  • Pascal Bongard, Head of the Policy and Legal Unit, Geneva Call
  • Fiona Terry, Head of the Centre for Operational Research and Experience (the CORE), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
  • James Munn, Director of Humanitarian Policy and Representative in Geneva, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
  • Reka Dobri, Policy Officer, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

News

Apply to Our Online Executive Master - MAS in International Law in Armed Conflict

4 February 2025

Applications for the upcoming academic year of our Online Executive Master – MAS in International Law in Armed Conflict - are now open. They will remain open until 30 May 2025, with courses starting at the end of September 2025.

Read more

Students at a Geneva Academy event News

Join Our Online Meetings for Prospective Students

1 October 2024

We organize online information sessions for prospective students interested in our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and Master in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.

Read more

Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

Read more

Afghanistan, Parwan detention facility. Inside a room where detainees of the prison, separated by an acrylic glass, are allowed to meet with their families a couple of times per year with the help of the ICRC employees who facilitate the programme. Short Course

Preventing and Combating Terrorism

24 April - 13 May 2025

This online short course discusses the extent to which states may limit and/or derogate from their international human rights obligations in order to prevent and counter-terrorism and thus protect persons under their jurisdiction.

Read more

Yemen,  Sana'a, Faj Attan district. Destruction. Short Course

The Rules Governing the Use of Force in International Law

9-17 April 2025

This online short course provides an overview of the content and evolution of the rules governing the use of unilateral force in international law, including military intervention on humanitarian grounds and the fight against international terrorism. It focuses on the practice of states and international organizations.

Read more

Iraq, Mosul. View of the west bank after the war. Project

IHL in Focus

Started in January 2024

As a yearly publication, it keeps decision-makers, practitioners and scholars up-to-date with the latest trends and challenges in IHL implementation in over 100 armed conflicts worldwide – both international and non-international.

Read more

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2023

published on July 2024

Read more