Event information

7 December 2023, 18:00-19:30
Register start 28 November 2023
Register end 7 December 2023

Downloads

Flyer >

Aggregation, Governance and Nexus: The Legal and Practical Implications of the ICC’s Al Hassan Case

IHL Talks

Opening of the confirmation of charges hearing in Al Hassan case Opening of the confirmation of charges hearing in Al Hassan case

Subject to ongoing judicial deliberations, with a first-instance judgement expected soon, the Al Hassan case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) stands out as one of today’s most closely scrutinized proceedings from the perspective of international humanitarian law. Brought against Mr Al Hassan Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz – an alleged member of the Ansar Eddine armed group, the head of its Islamic police, and a judge in its Islamic court in Timbuktu (Mali) – the case involves complex questions related to the classification of armed conflicts, rebel governance, nexus, and the protection of cultural property in situations of armed conflict.

In its awaited judgement, the ICC Trial Chamber is expected to take a position and possibly resolve several controversial matters of international humanitarian law (IHL). These include the possibility of aggregating the violence perpetrated by a multitude of armed groups when classifying a situation as an armed conflict, and whether we can consider an armed group’s non-military wing when determining if it is sufficiently well organized for a non-international armed conflict. The Chamber judgement should also address the question of the nexus requirement as applied to organized armed groups that exercise control over a certain territory, including to what extent the implementation of an armed group’s legislation should be governed by IHL.

Bearing in mind the legal and practical implications of Al Hassan, our panelists will address the relevance of the case for armed conflict classification, rebel governance, the protection of cultural property in armed conflicts, and the nexus requirement, but also, more broadly, its impact on the operations of humanitarian organizations active in Mali and other countries within the region.

MODERATION

  • Pavle Kilibarda, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Geneva

PANELISTS

  • Jann Kleffner, Professor of International Law, Swedish Defence University
  • Katharine Fortin, Associate Professor, Utrecht University
  • Francesco Romani, Research Fellow, Geneva Academy
  • Hichem Khadraoui, Executive-in-residence, Geneva Centre for Security Policy

ABOUT IHL TALKS

The IHL Talks are a series of events, hosted by the Geneva Academy, on international humanitarian law and current humanitarian topics. Academic experts, practitioners, policymakers and journalists discuss burning humanitarian issues and their regulation under international law.

DRINKS

This event will be followed by drinks.

 

Disclaimer

This event may be filmed, recorded and/or photographed on behalf of the Geneva Academy. The Geneva Academy may use these recordings and photographs for internal and external communications for information, teaching and research purposes, and/or promotion and illustration through its various media channels (website, social media, newsletters, annual report, etc.).

By participating in this event, you are agreeing to the possibility of appearing in the aforementioned films, recordings and photographs, and their subsequent use by the Geneva Academy.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

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

News

The Jean-Pictet Competition: Learning Beyond the Classroom

10 December 2024

Each year, the Geneva Academy sends a team of students to the Jean-Pictet Competition. Participating in this leading moot court is a life-changing experience and an integral part of our programmes.

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

Graffiti of Soldier (AI Generated) Event

Feeling Unsafe: Law as Emotional Regulation in the Development and Deployment of AI-enabled Means and Methods of Warfare

21 February 2025, 09:30-11:00

This panel event explores the role that emotions play in the development, deployment, and regulation of artificial intelligence in warfare.

Read more

Yemen,  Sana'a, Faj Attan district. Destruction. Short Course

The Rules Governing the Use of Force in International Law

14-23 May 2025

This online short course provides an overview of the content and evolution of the rules governing the use of unilateral force in international law, including military intervention on humanitarian grounds and the fight against international terrorism. It focuses on the practice of states and international organizations.

Read more

Surveillance Camera Project

COUNTER-TERROR PROJECT: A LEGAL EMPIRICAL APPROACH

Started in June 2019

The ‘Counter-Terror Pro LegEm’ project combines legal analysis with social science research to (1) examine the effectiveness of counterterrorism measures and their effects on human rights and (2) analyse the structure of terrorist networks such as Al Qaeda or the Islamic State and see whether they qualify as ‘organized armed groups’ for the purpose of international humanitarian law.

Read more

Iraq, Mosul. View of the west bank after the war. Project

IHL in Focus

Started in January 2024

As a yearly publication, it keeps decision-makers, practitioners and scholars up-to-date with the latest trends and challenges in IHL implementation in over 100 armed conflicts worldwide – both international and non-international.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2023

published on July 2024

Read more