21 November 2024
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. Do they address the realities of modern warfare? Are they to blame when violations occur? And do they really justify killing? In the latest episode of our podcast series ‘In and Around War(s)’, we delve into these frequently formulated questions by putting the Geneva Conventions on trial.
‘One of the worst things I saw written in a national newspaper was by a former general, who claimed the Geneva Conventions entitle you to kill people,’ says Andrew Clapham. ‘The Geneva Conventions provide protection—protection for prisoners of war, protection for civilians in occupied territory, and so on. Nowhere do they state you are entitled to kill combatants. That is a misperception that people overlay onto them to justify their behaviour.’
This episode was co-produced with Janet H. Anderson and Stephanie van den Berg from the Asymmetrical Haircuts podcast, who lead the discussion by presenting three charges against the Geneva Conventions. Acting as defenders are Andrew Clapham, Professor of International Law at the Graduate Institute, and Gloria Gaggioli, Associate Professor and Vice-Dean of the Law Faculty at the University of Geneva. The verdict is ultimately delivered by Francesco Romani, Research Fellow at the Geneva Academy.
All previous episodes, along with those from the current season can be found on the podcast page of the Geneva Academy website, as well as Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify.
Geneva Academy
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.
Geneva Academy
Natasha Floodgate, Geeta Mahapatra, and Thijs van der Horst will represent the Geneva Academy at the 47th edition of the Jean-Pictet Competition that will take place in Denpasar, Indonesia, from 22 February to 1 March 2025.
In this public lecture Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, will discuss with our director, Paola Gaeta and students from the Geneva Graduate Institute, University of Geneva and Geneva Academy.
Adobe Stock
This panel event explores the role that emotions play in the development, deployment, and regulation of artificial intelligence in warfare.
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.
ICRC
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.
Shutterstock
This project will explore humanitarian consequences and protection needs caused by the digitalization of armed conflicts and the extent to which these needs are addressed by international law, especially international humanitarian law.
Geneva Academy
Geneva Academy