Is the protection afforded by international law during armed conflicts robust enough in light of the nature of today’s conflicts where armed groups often control large populations and territories? What is the role of armed groups in the creation and implementation of the rules they are expected to respect? What are the responsibilities of business enterprises operating in conflict zones? What about the commission of war crimes or crimes against humanity by their staff?
‘Non-state actors’ – whether armed groups or large multinational business companies – are important actors in contemporary international relations. Most armed conflicts are today of a non-international character, involving numerous armed groups who can control a territory or a population, raising issues about the suitability of the existing protection framework afforded by international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Similar challenges arise in relation to the activities of businesses or transnational companies, notably when they operate in conflict zones or situations of armed violence.
Our research in this domain explores the extent to which these actors are bound by international law, whether the existing legal framework provides adequate protection and proposes concrete solutions to address these contemporary challenges.
ICRC
RESEARCHCompleted in 2022
Dave Klassen/The EITI
RESEARCHNYU Stern BH
RESEARCHMSF
RESEARCH© ILO/ Joydeep Mukherjee
RESEARCHCompleted in 2020
ICRC
RESEARCHICRC
RESEARCHICRC
RESEARCHICRC
RESEARCHThe U.S. Army
RESEARCHCompleted in 2010
T.M.C Asser Institute
In this book launch, co-organized with the T.M.C. Asser Institute, the book’s editors will discuss with leading experts and practitioners the state of research in the area of foreign fighters and their return.
Kyryl Savin/Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Discover our resources and what our experts say about the situation in Ukraine, with regular updates to include new events, articles and comments!
Geneva Academy
In addition to the ongoing non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) that oppose the Sudanese armed forces to a number of non-state armed groups in the country, our RULAC online portal just classified a parallel NIAC between Sudan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Hamadan.