LLM Students Develop Knowledge and Critical Thinking on Current IHL and Human Rights Topics

28 September 2020

Students of our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights (2019-2020 academic year) dedicated their summer to the writing of their LLM papers – a key output of the programme.

In around 20 pages – and under the supervision of a Faculty member – they had the opportunity to investigate a subject of special interest to them and deepen their knowledge and expertise through research as well as exchanges with experts, scholars and practitioners.

‘The LLM paper is an opportunity for our students to apply what they have learned during the year to specific cases or situations, reflecting on the protection existing legal frameworks afford, their potential gaps and how the latter can be filled, says Professor Gloria Gaggioli, Director of the Geneva Academy.

‘The fact that the paper is quite short requires a very good command of the law as well as the ability to analyse complex legal issues and situations in a precise and concise manner’ she adds.

Additional Challenge Related to the COVID–19 Pandemic

Due to the COVID–19 pandemic, students could not meet their supervisors in person to discuss key questions related to their papers, which added a layer of complexity to this exercise.

‘We are very proud of our students who managed, despite this difficult situation, to submit quality papers in time’ explains Professor Gloria Gaggioli.

LLM students submitted their papers in August and are receiving their grades.

From Armed Groups to the Protection of the Environment in Armed Conflicts or the Responsibility of Businesses in Conflict Areas

A series of LLM papers addressed the obligations of armed groups under international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL) notably in relation to enforced disappearances, cyber-operations, terrorism, foreign interventions or the protection of the environment.

Others discussed legal questions related to sexual violence in armed conflict – addressing the implication of United Nations (UN) forces or war crimes –, as well as whether domestic violence constitutes torture notably in light of the jurisprudence of UN human rights mechanisms.

Several papers also delved into specific legal issues related to armed conflicts, including the responsibilities of businesses under IHL and IHRL or the right to life of States’ own military personnel and the role of IHRL in interpreting IHL norms.

Papers also covered international criminal law (ICL) and international criminal justice questions like the notion of interest of justice in the jurisprudence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) or the efficiency of international criminal justice regarding the implementation of ICL in ICC non-member states.

Masul, Iraq: a wall with bullet impacts. Mosul’s old town experienced intense shelling, aerial bombing and attacks with improvised explosive devices (IED) during the conflict to retake the city from the Islamic State group in 2016/17.

Awards

Awarded every year during the Graduation Ceremony, the Best LLM Paper Prize distinguish one student for a paper of exceptional academic quality.

The Henry Dunant Prize is awarded to an LLM graduating student for an original and didactical paper that deepens, strengthens and renews the ideals and commitment of Henry Dunant.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Mô Bleeker News

UNSG Special Adviser Mô Bleeker Becomes Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy

15 April 2025

Mô Bleeker, UNSG Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, shares how her work as Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy contributes to our shared goals.

Read more

ECHR Logo News

In Highlight: ECHR Knowledge Sharing Platform

13 May 2025

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: ECHR Knowledge Sharing Platform

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

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

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 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

Plastic pollution on an Italian shore Project

Unpacking the Human Right to a Healthy Environment: Definition, Implementation and Impact

Started in January 2022

This research aims at mainstreaming the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the protection it affords in the work of the UN Human Rights Council, its Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review, as well as in the work of the UN General Assembly and UN treaty bodies.

Read more

George Floyd protest in Washington D.C. Project

Promoting and Protecting the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and Civic Space Worldwide

Started in June 2020

This project aims at providing support to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association Clément Voulé by addressing emerging issues affecting civic space and eveloping tools and materials allowing various stakeholders to promote and defend civic space.

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more