Information

25 April - 17 May 2024
Application start 20 August 2023
Application end 11 April 2024
Fee: 1250 Swiss Francs

Preventing and Combating Terrorism

Afghanistan, Parwan detention facility. Inside a room where detainees of the prison, separated by an acrylic glass, are allowed to meet with their families a couple of times per year with the help of the ICRC employees who facilitate the programme. Afghanistan, Parwan detention facility. Inside a room where detainees of the prison, separated by an acrylic glass, are allowed to meet with their families a couple of times per year with the help of the ICRC employees who facilitate the programme.

Descriptive

Since the 9.11 attacks, and with the multiplication of terrorist attacks on European soil, terrorism is considered one of the most important security threats the international community has to face. To what extent may states limit and/or derogate from their international human rights obligations in order to prevent and counter terrorism and thus protect persons under their jurisdiction? Which and whose human rights are at risk when states fight terrorism? What are the human rights challenges posed by the United Nations counter-terrorist sanctions regime? In which circumstances may lethal force – including drone strikes – be used against alleged members of terrorist groups or so-called ‘lone wolves’? Which international law rules apply in relation to the internment/detention and interrogation of persons accused of terrorism?

These are some of the key issues discussed in this short course, addressing several rights including the right to life, the right to liberty, the prohibition of torture, the right to property, and freedom of movement. Although the course is mainly human rights oriented, other international legal frameworks such as jus ad bellum and international humanitarian law will be touched upon. Recent trends in counter-terrorism, such as the preventing and countering violent extremism agenda, will be discussed in light of their human rights impact.

Online

This is an online short course.

Schedule

Classes will take place online during lunchtime on:

  • Thursday, 25 April 2024, 12:00-14:00h (CET)
  • Friday, 26 April 2024, 12:00-14:00h (CET)
  • Thursday, 2 May 2024, 15:00-17:00h (CET)
  • Friday, 3 May 2024, 15:00-17:00h (CET)
  • Friday, 10 May 2024, 15:00-17:00h (CET)
  • Friday, 17 May 2024, 15:00-17:00h (CET)

Audience

This short course forms part of the Geneva Academy Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict. It is open to professionals – diplomats, lawyers, legal advisers, judges, NGO staff, human rights advocates, media specialists, professionals working in emergency situations, UN staff and staff from other international organizations – who are not enrolled in the Executive Master and who want to deepen their expertise in this specific issue.

Fee

The fee for this online short course is 1,250 Swiss Francs. In case of cancellation by the participants, CHF 200 won't be returned.

Certificate

Participants obtain a certificate at the end of the course (no ECTS credits are gained).

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via this online form.

If you encounter problems with your application, do not hesitate to contact us.

Your application will need to include:

  • A short motivation letter (no more than one page)
  • Your curriculum vitae
  • Proof of your competence in English (a certificate or statement highlighting your solid background in English)

Once admitted to the course, participants receive instructions on how to pay. Proof of payment is required before you begin the course.

Professors and Lecturers

Picture of Gloria Gaggioli

Gloria Gaggioli

Former Director of the Geneva Academy and Associate Professor and Vice-Dean of the Law Faculty, University of Geneva

Gloria Gaggioli is a renowned scholar in international humanitarian law and human rights and has published widely in various fields of public international law.

Picture of Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

Regents Professor and Robina Professor of Law, Public Policy and Society, University of Minnesota Law School and Professor of Law, Queens University

Professor Ní Aoláin is Professor of Law at The Queens University Belfast, and was the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights while Countering Terrorism from 2017-2023.

Location

Online course

Access

Online

The course will be conducted online using the ZOOM platform.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Cover page of the book News

Two Alumni Edit a New Book on IHL and Non-State Actors

3 December 2019

Two alumni of our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, Ezequiel Heffes and Manuel Ventura are the editors, along with Marcos Kotlik, of a new book on international humanitarian law and non-state actors.

Read more

CCPR  Logo News

In Highlight: ICCPR Follow-up World Maps

4 December 2024

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the current highlight of the directory: ICCPR Follow-up World Maps

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 general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

15-19 September 2025

Participants in this training course will gain practical insights into UN human rights mechanisms and their role in environmental protection and learn about how to address the interplay between international human rights and environmental law, and explore environmental litigation paths.

Read more

A session of the UN Human Rights Committtee at Palais Wilson Project

Implementing International Humanitarian Law Through Human Rights Mechanisms

Completed in April 2019

This project examined how IHL could be more systematically, appropriately and correctly dealt with by the human rights mechanisms emanating from the UN Charter, as well as from universal and regional treaties.

Read more

Project

Follow-up Review Pilot Series

Started in November 2021

Read more

How We Work

Our teaching enables specialists to apply legal frameworks to complex situations and challenging processes.

Read more

Executive Education

We provide training and short courses for professionals who want to deepen their expertise in a specific issue.

Read more

Research

Our research examines issues that are under-explored, need clarification, or are unconventional, experimental or challenging.

Read more

Events

Our events provide a critical and scholarly forum for experts and practitioners to debate topical humanitarian, human rights and transitional justice issues.

Read more