Seeking the Truth amid the Fog of Warfare: The Contribution of Human Rights Defenders to Documenting Violations of International Law

IHL Talks

Khairil Yusof

In spite of great personal risk – and perhaps especially so in situations of armed conflict - local human rights defenders are the first to investigate and expose violations of international law committed by those in power. Their work is often instrumental in convincing international NGOs to take up a cause, but can also be essential in triggering criminal prosecutions either before the International Criminal Court or on the basis of universal jurisdiction. However, in a context of increasing fragmentation of the warring parties, disinformation, and limited access to conflict zones, how do ones credibly document serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the fog of warfare?

Organized in cooperation with the Martin Ennals Foundation, this IHL Talk aims at shining a light on the contribution that the courageous work of human rights defenders makes to efforts towards achieving accountability.

Moderator

• Iolanda Jaquemet, Director of Communications, World Organization against Torture (OMCT)

Panelists

• Huda Al Sarari, Yemeni lawyer and human rights activist, a finalist for the 2020 Martin Ennals Award
• Romain Wavre, Legal Counsel, Civitas Maxima
• Luca Urech, Program Manager, Human Security Division, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

About the 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.

Registration

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