Event information

12 December 2019, 13:00-14:00

Downloads

Flyer >

Non-State Armed Groups and IHL

Event

Member of an armed group in Colombia Member of an armed group in Colombia

Side Event at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

Compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) by non-State armed groups is a major challenge in today's armed conflicts. While it is accepted that NSAGs are bound by IHL, how they actually view and interpret their international obligations has remained insufficiently explored.

Considering this knowledge gap, Geneva Call and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights have embarked into a research project that aims to increase our understanding of NSAGs’ behaviours in conflict settings in order to strengthen respect for IHL.

This side event at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, co-organized by the Geneva Academy and Geneva Call, will offer the opportunity to present this research project, its rationale and some of its preliminary findings.

Moderator

  • Verity Robson, Legal Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and other International Organizations, Geneva

Panelists

  • Annyssa Bellal, Senior Research Fellow and Strategic Adviser on IHL, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
  • Pascal Bongard, Head of the Policy and Legal Unit, Geneva Call
  • Fiona Terry, Head of the Centre for Operational Research and Experience (the CORE), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
  • James Munn, Director of Humanitarian Policy and Representative in Geneva, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
  • Reka Dobri, Policy Officer, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

disops News

Impact of digital disinformation unpacked in new research brief series

9 April 2025

Our new series of Research Briefs examine the impact of digital disinformation and potential solutions for its regulation

Read more

ICRC Conference Booth News

Challenging Preconceptions About International Humanitarian Law

13 November 2024

At the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, we hosted a booth with Geneva Call and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway.

Read more

Event

Strengths and Challenges of Inter-State Applications Before the European Court of Human Rights

22 May 2025, 18:30-20:00

In this Geneva Academy Talk Judge Lətif Hüseynov will discuss the challenges of inter-State cases under the ECHR, especially amid rising conflict-related applications.

Read more

Screenshot of the RULAC webpage Project

Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts (RULAC)

Started in May 2007

The Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts project (RULAC) is a unique online portal that identifies and classifies all situations of armed violence that amount to an armed conflict under international humanitarian law (IHL). It is primarily a legal reference source for a broad audience, including non-specialists, interested in issues surrounding the classification of armed conflicts under IHL.

Read more

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2023

published on July 2024

Read more