International law recognizes the importance of environmental protection during armed conflict. Additional Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions was the first treaty to formally prohibit warfare methods that cause widespread, long-term, and severe environmental damage. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) further criminalizes damage to the natural environment as a war crime,... The post Environmental destruction in conflict: broadening accountability in war appeared first on Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog ..read more

Earlier this month, Lithuania’s unprecedented withdrawal from the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) took effect. Meanwhile, several states are openly questioning their continued adherence to other humanitarian treaties, including the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC). These developments take place amid heightened international tensions and mounting security concerns, both in Europe and globally. They come at... The post Anti-personnel mines: the false promise of security through exceptionalism in war appeared first on Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog ..read more

Amid the devastation of armed conflict, hospitals stand as fragile sanctuaries, overwhelmed by demand and depleted of essential supplies. Struggling to function under relentless strain, they remain uniquely vulnerable – yet, rather than being protected, they are too often caught in the crosshairs of tactical attacks and political allegations. In this first installment of the... The post Hospitals under fire: legal and practical challenges to strengthened protection appeared first on Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog ..read more

Contemporary armed conflicts are increasingly complex and, through rapid technological development, increasingly remote. This calls into question the capacity of a machine to apply human emotional traits such as empathy and caution, crucial for effective judgement and evaluation in challenging situations. Despite the precision and reliability that might be achieved through the increased automation of... The post AI, war and (in)humanity: the role of human emotions in military decision-making appeared first on Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog ..read more

In today’s multilateral disarmament, peace and security, and humanitarian fora, a key responsibility of states – and a challenge for their lawyers and policy makers – is to find common understandings on the international legal limits on information and communication technology (ICT) activities during armed conflicts. Following over two decades of discussions – and gradual... The post A steppingstone for more? Progress on the protection of civilian populations from ICT activities during armed conflict appeared first on Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog ..read more

As the devastating impacts of armed conflicts continue to mount, civilians are enduring unimaginable suffering. Violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) are compounding these crises, while emerging threats such as autonomous weapons and cyber warfare add new dimensions to the challenges facing humanity. Despite the universal ratification of the Geneva Conventions, the erosion of respect... The post A call to make international humanitarian law a political priority appeared first on Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog ..read more

Canada recently published its first voluntary report on the implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL), highlighting its efforts to comply with IHL rules. However, the report overlooks key challenges and critical issues, leaving gaps that future reports should address. In this post, Professor Tiwa Fomekong examines the achievements described in Canada’s report alongside its omissions,... The post Canada’s first voluntary IHL report: a step forward with opportunities for improvement appeared first on Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog ..read more

In an era of rising geopolitical tensions, terms like ‘hybrid threats,’ ‘grey zones,’ and ‘proxy warfare’ are frequently used to describe covert and ambiguous operations, suggesting they blur the lines between peace and armed conflict. From cyberattacks on civilian infrastructure to the damaging of undersea cables, these acts are often labeled as ‘hybrid warfare,’ raising... The post ‘Hybrid threats’, ‘grey zones’, ‘competition’, and ‘proxies’: When is it actually war? appeared first on Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog ..read more

Around the world, civilians in cities at war face immense risks. Urban warfare devastates lives and livelihoods, as people are killed and injured, critical infrastructure such as hospitals and water systems are damaged or destroyed, and entire communities are forced to flee. Disruptions to essential services amplifies the suffering of civilians and poses significant humanitarian... The post War in cities: a solemn appeal from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement appeared first on Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog ..read more

Members of armed forces receive international humanitarian law (IHL) training as a matter of course, but they are not the only actors who must apply this body of law; lawyers within governments, international organizations, and NGOs all have roles in this regard. Did they have the opportunity to study IHL? And contemporary armed conflicts have... The post If you teach it, they’ll enroll: IHL education in Canadian law schools appeared first on Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog ..read more