Amman 2015 Special Course on Humanitarian Law and Engaging Armed Groups in the Protection of Civilians (conducted in Arabic)

The result of a partnership between PHAP and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, the Special Course on Humanitarian Law and Engaging Armed Groups in the Protection of Civilians is an opportunity for participants to deepen their knowledge and benefit from the Academy's latest research on the topic while bringing in their own practitioner perspectives to help move the discussion forward.

The Amman 2015 Special Course on Humanitarian Law and Engaging Armed Groups in the Protection of Civilians is a three-day course which takes place on 14-16 February 2015. The course will be entirely conducted in Arabic.

It will combine the elements of PHAP's Core Professional Training on Humanitarian Law and Policy with the new sessions developed by the Geneva Academy on the topic of engaging with armed non-state actors for the protection of civilians.

The Amman 2015 Special Course on Humanitarian Law and Engaging Armed Groups in the Protection of Civilians is organized in partnership with the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.

Summary description:

The Amman 2015 Special Course on Humanitarian Law and Engaging Armed Groups in the Protection of Civilians (14-16 February 2015) focuses on how to improve the protection of civilians and other protected persons through active engagement with non-state armed groups. Based on five years of research by staff at the Geneva Academy, it will address the why and how of engagement, taking into account law, policy, and security concerns. The workshop will be conducted in a participatory manner with participants invited to share their experiences and concerns about working with armed groups. Each participant will receive the Academy's new Policy Briefing on engaging with armed groups to help with follow-up after the workshop.

For more information about Geneva Academy's research project and the Special Course, please see this background note.

Issues to be covered during the course include the following:

• International Humanitarian Law: types of conflicts and conduct of hostilities
• Motivations of armed groups and international law
• 'Rules of Engagement' with armed groups
• Risk assessment concerning engagement
• Addressing core protection issues (targeting of attacks, sexual violence, child recruitment, choice of weapons, detention and trial by armed groups)