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

GHRP in Davos News

AI and Human Rights in the Intelligent Age: GHRP in Davos

3 February 2025

The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributed to key discussions on AI, human rights, and sustainable digital governance at the World Economic Forum 2025.

Read more

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

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 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

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Project

The Lake Room Initiative (Space for Dialogue)

Started in February 2024

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

War on Minorities’ Under the Guise of Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism

published on December 2024

Beatrice Meretti

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

Navigating Pathways Toward Transitional Justice in Ukraine

published on October 2024

Robin van der Lugt, Chhime Namdol Sherpa

Read more