Event information

17 October 2022, 18:30-20:00

Opening Lecture – The 'War on Terror' at 21: Reflections from Practice

Event

Portrait of Helen Duffy Portrait of Helen Duffy

For the past 21 years, the global ‘war on terror’ has had a profound impact on human rights and rule of law around the globe, and triggered a vast array of national, regional and international human rights litigation in response.

In this opening lecture of the 2022–2023 academic year, Professor Helen Duffy will highlight what she sees as key characteristics of the ‘war on terror’ as it is unfolding around the globe today, illustrated by reference to examples from her international litigation practice (and real human stories behind the cases and their quests for justice). The lecture will also reflect on the troubling trajectory of a thriving war on terror, the role and limits of strategic litigation in addressing it, and implications for the future.

About Helen Duffy

Helen Duffy is a practicing international human rights lawyer and Professor of international human rights and humanitarian law at the University of Leiden. She is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Glasgow and a Visiting Professor at Melbourne and American universities.

She runs ‘Human Rights in Practice,’ specializing in strategic human rights litigation and advice before regional and international human rights courts and bodies on a broad range of human rights issues – including CIA rendition and torture, counter-terrorism, trafficking and equality, climate justice and accountability.

Helen Duffy is a graduate of the Universities of Glasgow (LLB Hons), University College London (LLM) and Leiden (PhD). Her ublications include The ‘War on Terror’ and the Framework of International law (Cambridge, 2nd ed. 2015), Strategic Human Rights Litigation: Understanding and Maximising Impact (Hart, 2018) and Law in Armed Conflict with Bohrer and Dill (Cambridge, 2020).

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Human Rights Tiles News

From Signals to Action: Strengthening the UN's Conflict Prevention Efforts

31 March 2025

Our recent research brief series explores how the United Nations' human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention.

Read more

GHRP Ai for Good Workshop News

Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Human Rights Monitoring: Key Takeaways from the AI for Good Workshop

22 July 2025

Our event brought together human rights practitioners, data scientists, and AI experts to explore how artificial intelligence can support efforts to monitor human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Read more

Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

Read more

Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Session of a UN Treaty Body Project

Treaty Bodies Individual Communications Procedures

Started in January 2019

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more