4 April 2023
Giada Rubino follows our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict while working as a Human Rights Associate at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Colombia.
In this position, she monitors violations of international human rights law (IHRL) and international humanitarian law (IHL) – with a specific focus on the rule of law – in the department of Arauca which borders Venezuela. She also provides technical assistance to the Colombian Government, in particular to the National Army and National Police to strengthen the application of IHL and IHRL in their operations.
Previously, Giada worked as a Human Rights Officer in the Civic Space Unit at OHCHR in Honduras, as a Human Rights Adviser with APRODEH in Perú, and as a Gender Advisor and a Project Manager coordinating EU projects on gender and migration in both Italy and France. In Perú, she coordinated capacity-building programmes for indigenous human rights defenders and the communities they represent, monitored the implementation of the Integral Reparations Programme (PIR) and provided support to the families of the victims of enforced disappearance.
I studied political science and international relations, but I have always been interested in international law.
Since I started working in Colombia, a complex context affected by more than 58 years of conflict, I realized that I needed to acquire academic knowledge in the international law of armed conflict to do in-depth analysis and conduct legal discussions with key interlocutors.
I particularly enjoy when we work in groups as this allows me to interact with other participants and debate specific cases. In addition, understanding the interplay of public international law, IHL, IHRL, and international criminal law is fascinating and expands my understanding of the legal frameworks applying to armed conflicts.
Although I prefer in-person classes to know other colleagues and establish strong relationships, distance learning is very functional for professionals like me. I was able to attend most of the classes, and when I was on missions, I could, upon my return, easily access all the courses recordings. Another important aspect that I would like to underline is the high professionalism and kindness of the Teaching Assistants who are always available to help me.
Studying and working at the same time is a challenge. Although I had done it in the past, this time, I found it very difficult due to my workload and the different time zone. To facilitate the learning process, it would be ideal to practice more case analysis, instead of readings.
I can already observe the benefit it brings to my current position, since it has enhanced my understanding of the interplay between IHRL and IHL in armed conflict, and above all my confidence when I must apply it in my daily work. I am also excited to write a paper.
I expect that the next contributions will be new opportunities at the professional level.
Yes, I recommend this programme to anyone wishing to broaden or acquire legal knowledge of international law and work in conflict and post-conflict situations, as well as to those interested in the subjects covered by the programme.
Our 2022 Annual Report provides an overview of our activities, highlights, outputs and impact for the past year.
Geneva Academy
In addition to the ongoing non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) that oppose the Sudanese armed forces to a number of non-state armed groups in the country, our RULAC online portal just classified a parallel NIAC between Sudan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Hamadan.
Adobe
This annual conference co-organized with the University of Essex provides a space for experts and practitioners, diplomats, academics, young scholars and civil society representatives to discuss contemporary legal issues in armed conflict.
CCPR Centre
In this opening lecture of the 2023–2024 academic year, Professor Helene Tigroudja will discuss how UN human rights mechanisms address cases or situations that arise during armed conflicts.
ICRC
This online short course discusses the protection offered by international humanitarian law (IHL) in non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) and addresses some problems and controversies specific to IHL of NIACs, including the difficulty to ensure the respect of IHL by armed non-state actors.
ICRC
This online short course focuses on the specific issues that arise in times of armed conflict regarding the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights. It addresses key issues like the applicability of human rights in times of armed conflict; the possibilities of restricting human rights under systems of limitations and derogations; and the extraterritorial application of human rights law.
UN Photo/Violaine Martin
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.
Shutterstock
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.
Geneva Academy
Geneva Academy