Geneva 2015 Thematic Workshop on Islamic Law, Terrorism, and Counterterrorism

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The Thematic Workshops on IHL address critical challenges of International Humanitarian Law in current conflict situations. The two-day workshops complement the Core Professional Trainings on Humanitarian Law and Policy.

The Geneva 2015 Thematic Workshop on Islamic Law, Terrorism, and Counterterrorism is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland on 26-27 November 2015 and it will take place right after the 3-day Core Professional Training on Humanitarian Law and Policy (23-25 November 2015) in the same location. More information about the training venue are available further down.

Summary description

In light of developments in Syria, Iraq, Mali, and elsewhere, with hostilities between Islamist armed groups and states and other entities becoming more heated, the relevant questions for the humanitarian community regarding Islamic Law and applicable international legal frameworks have moved well beyond humanitarian access negotiations. The use of armed force both by and against Islamist groups has increased. This alters the dynamic of conflict situations, affecting the nature of humanitarian need as well as the possibilities to respond to it.

In collaboration with top experts in relevant fields, Naz Modirzadeh and Prof. Andrew March, the focus of this year’s workshop has been updated to respond to recent developments. Looking not only at the Islamist groups’ relations to the norms of Islamic Law and of IHL, the workshop will also familiarize participants with the approaches of states in responding to armed actions of these groups,  analyze states’ counterterrorism frameworks in relation to international humanitarian law (IHL), and assess the implications for humanitarian action.

The workshop will serve as an intensive review of the relevant legal and policy frameworks (Islamic Law, Islamist armed group statements, UN and state counterterrorism law and policies, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, etc.), as well as an advanced discussion of current developments in terrorism and counterterrorism, the use of force in this context, and the implications in terms of humanitarian need and response, as well as humanitarian advocacy efforts.

The workshop will cover the following:

• Brief primer on Islamic legal frameworks, including key concepts, sources, and theological foundations.
• Examination of how “Islamist” armed groups frame their actions in terms of Islamic law
• Analysis of state approaches to counterterrorism in terms of the use of lethal force and the relationship between states’ counterterrorism frameworks and the international law of armed conflict (LOAC)/ international humanitarian law (IHL).
• Overview of the evolving policy and legal discussions regarding key developments, such as international and national measures against so-called “foreign fighters” and the channeling of financial and other support to listed terrorist entities and individuals.
• Discussion of the current and potential future implications for humanitarian action in its various forms.

Agenda│ Reading List │ Logistics Information

The primary intended audience includes experienced humanitarian law and policy advisors, managers of UN and NGO humanitarian operations in relevant contexts, and government officials, including both diplomatic and military personnel. Other interested individuals are also welcome to apply.

More on this Special Workshop and testimonials from previous participants:

PHAP has been offering workshops on Islamic Law and Protection of Civilians for a number of years, including in Amman, Bangkok, and most recently London. The subject matter has covered topics such as state legitimacy, the distinction between combatants and civilians, targeting, and immunity of international aid workers under classical Islamic laws of war as well as under contemporary Jihadi fiqh; how these may be relevant in the context of humanitarian engagement with certain Islamist armed groups; and efforts to increase non-state armed groups’ respect for the protection of civilians.

Participants have found the workshops particularly helpful in terms of better understanding the dynamics on the ground and learning from leading legal and policy experts as well as from the experiences of humanitarian field practitioners.

“

Satisfying and stimulating course. Hands down, brilliant.
- Participant in previous Thematic Workshop on Islamic Law and Protection of Civilians

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“

The speakers were excellent and engaged. Having professionals from the field and HQ come together and exchange views was enriching and helpful. The workshop on IHL and Islamic Law was very relevant and helps me to this date understand some of the dynamics on the ground much better.
- Participant in previous Thematic Workshop on Islamic Law and Protection of Civilians

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How to apply

Please use this application form to apply for the training event.

The course is open to PHAP members and to non members. PHAP members enjoy tuition fee discounts, among other benefits. If you are not yet a member of PHAP, you can apply for membership and the selected training simultaneously through the same form.

Please note that participation to the Thematic Workshops requires prior participation to a standard Core Professional Training on Humanitarian Law and Policy.​

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Course fees

For information about non-member fees, group rates, and available discounts, please visit our course fees and discounts page.

PHAP offers a limited number of seats at a reduced fee, as foreseen by PHAP's Tuition Assistance Policy. Please read it carefully to check whether you are eligible and learn how to submit you request.

Before applying, please read about the terms and conditions of your application.

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