Event information

31 August 2018, 12:30-14:00

Rights, Faith and Fights: Armed Non-State Actors and Contemporary Conflicts

Event

Many armed non-state actors (ANSAs) look through the lens of their religious ideologies before undertaking any commitment to international humanitarian law (IHL). At the same time, IHL is based on norms also rooted in the rules of religions and customs. Legal experts, institutions have thought through on how to make ANSAs ‘own’ norms. In other words, to which type of engagement could ANSAs but also states agree and what role does religion play in this engagement? Is there an international body looking at these questions at all and if not why not?

As the second in a series of talks on IHL brought to you by the UN Library Geneva in collaboration with the Geneva Academy, this Library Talk will explore the application of IHL to contemporary conflicts as related to ANSAs.

Discussion with

  • Farhan Alfarhan, Expert and Foreign Policy Advisor, Saudi Arabia
  • Annyssa Bellal, Strategic Adviser on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Senior Research Fellow at the Geneva Academy
  • Kamelia Kemileva, Special Projects Manager, Geneva Academy
  • Michael Wiener, Human Rights Officer at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Registration

For those without a UNOG badge, registration for this event is obligatory. Interested participants are invited to register online before 31 August 2018.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

neurotech image News

Human Rights Concerns in Neurotechnology Examined in New Research Brief

15 April 2025

Our research brief 'Neurotechnology - Integrating Human Rights in Regulation' examines the human rights challenges posed by the rapid development of neurotechnology.

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

Special Rapporteur Sign Event

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in an Era of Escalating Armed Conflict: Where Can International Human Rights Law Help?

25 September 2025, 18:30-20:00

This evening dialogue will present the publication: International Human Rights Law: A Treatise, Cambridge University Press (2025).

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

Un plate with Rapporteur Spécial written on it Project

Support to UN Special Procedures

Started in June 2020

Read more

Session of a UN Treaty Body Project

Treaty Bodies Individual Communications Procedures

Started in January 2019

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more