Course description
Lack of compliance remains a profound challenge for IHL. While the focus is often on responses to violations, not least through criminal proceedings, prevention of violations in the first place is essential. Using a holistic approach, this workshop takes stock of implementation mechanisms and processes and how they work in practice. Along with a critical exploration of relevant challenges, this workshop aims to uncover opportunities to use and further strengthen existing mechanisms, as part of protection of civilians efforts.
It is designed to look at both IHL-specific mechanisms and other means of implementation, before hostilities break out as well as during armed conflict. In doing so, the workshop will look at how a stronger focus on prevention is complementary to pursuing more effective responses to violations.
Sessions will cover topics such as training of armed forces, the use of domestic judicial proceedings (both criminal and civil), and human rights protection mechanisms, as well as innovative approaches to induce compliance by armed groups. Covering local and national approaches as well as international mechanisms and strategies, participants will explore possibilities for humanitarian actors and others to engage and contribute to a better respect of rules during armed conflict.