CREDITS 3 ECTS - 32 Contact Hours
The International Humanitarian Law course will embark on the discussion of the basic tenets of the law of armed conflict – concepts, principles and rules. The course will consist of lectures and practically oriented seminars during which the students will work on case solution and presentation of the results.
At the outset, the course will examine the definition, scope, historical development and sources of international humanitarian law. Students will get an insight into the distinction between the use of armed force law (jus ad bellum) and international humanitarian law (jus in bello). The current and frozen armed conflicts will be assessed in light of the distinction between international armed conflict (IAC) and non-international armed conflict (NIAC) and the applicable regimes they entail. The course will then examine the main principles applicable during warfare (principle of humanity, military
necessity, principle of distinction, principle of proportionality, and prohibition to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering).
Further, the course will explore different groups of persons involved in situations of IAC and NIAC and regime of protection attributable to them. Through practical exercises students will learn to classify different subjects during armed conflicts and the relevant protection regimes. A separate lecture will be devoted to the methods and means of warfare. The course will also examine the responsibility of States and international organizations during multinational operations. In addition to that, the Rules of Engagement (ROE) will be looked at in light of the law of armed conflict. The course will conclude by analysis of enforcement of law of armed conflict by the involved parties – individuals, non-State actors, international governmental and non-governmental organizations, and State governments.
- Teacher: Ieva Miļūna