Course Contents:
Introduction to International Humanitarian Law (IHL); Definition and concept of IHL, Objectives and purposes of IHL, Fundamental Principles of IHL, Sources of IHL, Application of International Customary Principles in IHL, Development of IHL through ages and Adoption of International Legal Instruments in 19th and 20th Centuries; Adoption, Application and Significance of Four Geneva Conventions 1949 and Two Additional Protocols,1977, Nature and Features of Hague Law and Geneva Law, Definition of War and Prohibition of war under the general principles of International Law, Distinction between Jus ad bellum and Jus in bello, The concept of International and Internal Armed Conflict, War of Liberation and Insurgency, Distinction between IHL and Human Rights Law (HRL), Concept of States and Individuals’ liability under IHL. Protection of defenseless persons in armed conflict; Concept of Protected and Defenseless Persons during armed conflict, Principles of general obligation for human treatment and protection to the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked, Protection of Medical Units and Transports, Medical Personals, concept of Combatants and non-combatants, Concept of Status of Prisoners of War (POW) and Principles respecting the protection of Prisoners of War. Principles respecting the Protection of Civilians and their Properties during warfare, Children in War, Special protection to the Women and Children, Journalists, Humanitarian Activists, Refugees and Stateless Persons, Internally Displaced Persons. Limitations on means and methods of warfare; Limitations on Means of Combat: Basic Principle, Specific prohibitions of conventional weapons, Prohibition of mass destruction weapons, New Weapons. Limitations on Methods of Combat: Basic Principles, Prohibition of Perfidy—Perfidy vs. Ruses, Prohibition of misuse of distinctive emblems, Prohibition of use of emblems of nationality, Protection against the denial of quarter, Prohibition on attacking civilian objects and the civilian population, Prohibition of indiscriminate attacks, Prohibition of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, Protection of works and installations containing dangerous forces, Protection of natural environment, Protection of cultural objects, Prohibition of reprisals, Prohibition of act of terror in war.
Non international armed conflict; The Concept of non-international armed conflict, Pre-1949 legal situation: recognition of belligerency, the concept of civil war, role of the Red Cross;
The Effect of United Nations Charter; Common Article 3 of Geneva Conventions 1949, Additional Protocol II of 1977: historical background, scope of application of the Protocol, treatment of captured combatants, concept of fundamental guarantees and their compliance in conflicting situation, protection of population. Implementation of IHL; National Implementation of International Humanitarian Law: Enactment of National Legislation, Dissemination of IHL, Establishment of National Committees on IHL, Role National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. International Implementation of IHL: Establishment of International Fact-Finding Commission, Enquiry Procedure under the Geneva Conventions, The Role of International Criminal Court and Tribunals, International Humanitarian Organizations, and International Committee of Red Cross; The Role of Protecting Power.