Event information

15 March 2022, 12:00-13:30
Register start 7 March 2022
Register end 14 March 2022

Russia and Ukraine

Geneva Academy Talks

A scene from the Palanca-Maiaki-Udobnoe border crossing point, between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine on 1 March 2022. A scene from the Palanca-Maiaki-Udobnoe border crossing point, between the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine on 1 March 2022.

This IHL Talk aims at shedding light on some of the legal issues stemming from the current armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia. As it is well-known, on 24 February 2022 Russian forces entered Ukraine, triggering a new phase of the international armed conflict which started in 2014. As a reaction, a growing number of states has provided assistance to Ukraine and has adopted increasingly severe sanctions against Russia.

First, the focus will be on the humanitarian impact of unilateral sanctions. Second, we will address challenges raised by the use of force against Ukraine, with a particular focus on the justifications provided by Russia. Lastly, we will analyse the conflict from an international humanitarian law perspective, focusing on instances of clear violations and more controversial ones.

Moderator

  • Michael Strauss, Professor of International Law, Centre d'Etudes Diplomatiques et Stratégiques (CEDS) in Paris

Speakers

  • Alena Douhan, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights
  • Marco Roscini, Professor of International Law, Westminster Law School
  • Chiara Redaelli, Research Fellow, Geneva Academy

About IHL Talks

The IHL Talks are a series of events, hosted by the Geneva Academy, on international humanitarian law and current humanitarian topics. Every two months, academic experts, practitioners, policymakers and journalists discuss burning humanitarian issues and their regulation under international law.

Get Ready: Our Resource Page on Ukraine

Video

Russia and Ukraine

This IHL Talk  addressed some of the legal issues stemming from the current armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Panelists notably discussed the humanitarian impact of unilateral sanctions and challenges raised by the use of force against Ukraine, with a particular focus on the justifications provided by Russia. They also analyzed the conflict from an international humanitarian law perspective, focusing on instances of clear violations and more controversial ones.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

News

The Jean-Pictet Competition: Learning Beyond the Classroom

10 December 2024

Each year, the Geneva Academy sends a team of students to the Jean-Pictet Competition. Participating in this leading moot court is a life-changing experience and an integral part of our programmes.

Read more

Geneva Academy at the EU DElegation in Geneva News

Spotlight on IHL: Geneva Academy Briefs EU Delegation on Alarming Conflict Trends

10 April 2025

Alarming conflict trends from the IHL in Focus report were presented to members of the UN at the EU Delegation in Geneva by members of the Geneva Academy.

Read more

Event

Strengths and Challenges of Inter-State Applications Before the European Court of Human Rights

22 May 2025, 18:30-20:00

In this Geneva Academy Talk Judge Lətif Hüseynov will discuss the challenges of inter-State cases under the ECHR, especially amid rising conflict-related applications.

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

A session of the UN Human Rights Council Project

IHL Expert Pool

Started in January 2022

The IHL-EP works to strengthen the capacity of human rights mechanisms to incorporate IHL into their work in an efficacious and comprehensive manner. By so doing, it aims to address the normative and practical challenges that human rights bodies encounter when dealing with cases in which IHL applies.

Read more

Computer screen with warning: civilian infrastucture: do not attack Project

The Digitalization of Armed Conflict

Started in September 2020

This project will explore humanitarian consequences and protection needs caused by the digitalization of armed conflicts and the extent to which these needs are addressed by international law, especially international humanitarian law.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2023

published on July 2024

Read more