The diversity of the network that PHAP has developed – the diversity of the members who all gravitate towards the same idea – is something quite unique. Interacting and networking with other humanitarian professionals who are engaged in work across a variety of different fields is an important priority for me. With members from the sector as a whole, we have a great opportunity – in terms of understanding other peoples operations and in terms of becoming better in our own operations.

- PHAP member (since 2011)

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Home » Resources » International law in armed conflict and cultural heritage – watch the briefing and Q&A

International law in armed conflict and cultural heritage – watch the briefing and Q&A

3 Oct 2016
Liz Arnanz

In situations of armed conflict, cultural heritage is often at danger of being destroyed, either as collateral damage or – as has happened recently in Syria, Mali, Afghanistan, and elsewhere – from being directly targeted. What kind of protection does international law provide for cultural heritage?

On 29 September, Kristin Hausler, Dorset Senior Research Fellow in Public International Law at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL), provided a briefing on this topic, drawing the attention of more than 100 online participants.

Kristin provided a comprehensive overview of the existing legal frameworks that protect cultural heritage during both international and non-international armed conflict. Highlighting how non-state armed groups are also bound by international treaty and customary law, she also spoke of the recent ruling of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for the destruction of Timbuktu’s shrines during the 2012 armed conflict in Mali.

The Q&A part of the session took up a number of questions from participants, ranging from the role of humanitarian practitioners and heritage professionals in situations of armed conflict, to the applicable legal frameworks in states that have not ratified the Rome Statute. Additional answers by the guest expert to questions submitted by participants will also be published on the website in the coming weeks.

Read more about the event, watch the recording, or download the audio podcast at https://phap.org/29sep2016

This was the 18th session in PHAP’s Online Learning Series on Humanitarian Law and Policy, which consists of sessions targeted to practitioners in PHAP’s membership who need an up-to-date working knowledge of legal frameworks and concepts applicable to humanitarian action.

Upcoming events in this series:

  • In light of the recent High-Level Plenary on Addressing Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants and the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees, our next session on humanitarian law and policy on 21 October will provide an overview of the legal protection of refugees with guest expert Jean-François Durieux.
  • As highlighted in the session on the protection of cultural heritage, non-international armed conflicts and non-state armed groups often pose particular challenges for the application of legal frameworks that in their conception focused on regulating conflicts between states. On 15 November, Gabor Rona, Visiting Professor at Cardozo Law School and longtime PHAP expert contributor, will be delivering an online learning session on the legal dilemma of detention in non-international armed conflicts.