Event information

7 March 2020, 20:00-22:00

Does international humanitarian law legitimise wars?

Event

The International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH), Doctors without Borders (MSF) and the Geneva Academy co-organize an online debate on international humanitarian law during the revised 18th edition of the festival.

International humanitarian law (IHL) provides a platform for major humanitarian organisations to negotiate in the event of a conflict. When war is in conformity with the law, is it still legitimate?

Systematic attacks on hospitals and other civilian sites in Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and South Sudan: since the beginning of the "war on terror" declared following the attacks of 11 September 2001, violations of IHL have multiplied. In this context, the importance of promoting IHL has become a fundamental pillar of contemporary humanitarian action. Advocacy campaigns and public speeches proliferate. But does recognizing that war can be legally considered as civilized not ignore the political realities of law and warfare? Does this not lead to legitimizing so-called just wars in the name of law?

Speakers

  • Amani Balloor, Physician, the protagonist of The Cave
  • Annyssa Bellal, Strategic Adviser on IHL, Geneva Academy
  • Rony Brauman, Doctor, ex-president of MSF, director of studies for CRASH - the center of reflexion on action and humanitarian knowledge at MSF

Moderation

  • Gaith Abdul-Ahad, Journalist, The Guardian

Video

Does international humanitarian law legitimise wars?

International humanitarian law (IHL) provides a platform for major humanitarian organisations to negotiate in the event of a conflict. When war is in conformity with the law, is it still legitimate?

Watch the debate co-organized by the Geneva Academy, The International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) and Doctors without Borders (MSF).

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

ECOSOC Panel United Nations News

Dr Erica Harper Warns of Dangerous Global Conflict Surge at UN ECOSOC Panel

23 June 2025

Our Head of Research and Policy Studies, Dr Erica Harper, spoke at a United Nations Economic and Social Council panel on June 16th, focused on Humanitarian Aid Under Siege.

Read more

IHL in Focus Spot Report News

Spot Report – Water Crisis in War and Under Occupation: Current Israeli Policy and Practice in Occupied Palestinian Territory Under International Humanitarian Law

16 June 2025

The Geneva Academy has published a new spot report analysing Israeli policy and practice relating to water in the Occupied Palestinian Territory through the lens of IHL.

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

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

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more