Event Announcement - 17 June: The Fundamental Principles of IHL Regulating Hostilities

Speaker

Session description

The rules regulating the conduct of hostilities are central to the framework of international humanitarian law (IHL). This highly articulated set of rules, found in both treaty and customary law, establishes the parameters by which adversaries must conduct their operations. These rules aim to limit the effects of hostilities, and are critical to the protection of civilians during armed conflict. Implicit in each rule is a balancing of the humanitarian imperative and military necessity.

This session will provide a brief introduction to the basic rules of conduct of hostilities, offering participants the opportunity to learn about the relationship between the principles of distinction and proportionality, the rules regarding precautionary measures, and the prohibition of superfluous injury and unnecessary suffering. The definition of a military objective will be covered, as will conditions under which damage to civilian objects or injury or death to civilians may not be unlawful under IHL in certain circumstances.

This session on the basics of conduct of hostilities will be followed later in the year by a series of more advanced sessions focusing in greater depth on a number of related issues and challenges, including so-called "targeted killings" and direct participation in hostilities by civilians.

Learning objectives

• Recognition that IHL aims to limit the effects of hostilities for those who do not participate or no longer participate in hostilities
• Appreciation of the balance between the humanitarian imperative and military necessity that undergirds the rules regulating hostilities
• Understanding of the definition of military objective
• Familiarity with the principles of distinction and proportionality
• Awareness of the rules regarding precautionary measures and prohibition of superfluous injury and unnecessary suffering

Prerequisite knowledge

No prerequisite knowledge.

Recommended sessions:
1. Introduction to IHL and its relevance for humanitarian actors
2. IHL and Core Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence

PHAP members are also recommended to follow the PHAP Online Course on Essentials of International Humanitarian Law, especially the module on Core Principles of International Humanitarian Law.

Recommended readings

For participants wishing to prepare in advance for the event, we recommend the following resources:

• International Committee of the Red Cross (2010), International law on the conduct of hostilities: overview"
• Physicians for Human rights (2014) Overview of principles and rules of international humanitarian law applicable to conduct of hostilities with a focus on targeting of hospitals and medical units, Annex to report "Anatomy of a crisis map of attacks on health care in Syria"
• Françoise Hampson, Military Necessity, Crimes of War
• Hamilton DeSaussure, Military Objectives, Crimes of War

Assessment

PHAP members will have the possibility to undergo a two-part assessment after the session as part of the PHAP Continuous Learning Credits framework.

• Part 1: Comprehension check
• Part 2: Written reflection

Target audience

Humanitarian practitioners as well as others with a professional or general interest in humanitarian action in situations of armed conflict.

Event access

The live event on 17 June 2015 is open to the public. Advance registration is required at phap.org/ols-hlp-3/register
 

Session time

Wednesday 17 June 2015

To see when the live session will take place in your time zone, click here

Host and Facilitator