"If Gaza marks how wars will be fought in the future, the foundations of our humanity are at stake”
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, our Director-General, Pierre Krähenbühl, reflects on the immense toll on civilians, the erosion of fundamental norms in armed conflict, and the urgent need to uphold international humanitarian law (IHL).
Ratification alone is not enough. As states step up their defence capabilities, the rules of the Geneva Conventions must be understood, internalised, and supported by concrete legal and practical measures in peacetime if they are to be upheld in war. Sylvain Vité and I explore this in this post:
Decentralization ≠ disorganization. Many armed groups operate without strict, traditional, hierarchies, yet their actions create war-like conditions. Should they be bound by International Humanitarian Law despite their decentralized structure?
international-review.icrc.org/articles/dec...
[1/2] A favorite tradition, the Just Security year-end book recommendations, is here!
Our editors recommend a mix of books to learn more about some of the issues we cover, and to unwind and recharge for the year ahead.
With thanks to our readers and to ...
www.justsecurity.org/105991/just-...
Statement on Genocide is a Feminist Issue On International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Feminist Legal Studies expresses solidarity with all victims of war, genocide, armed conflict, and ethnic cleansing. These are feminist issues because they disproportionately subject those who identify as women, other marginalised groups, and children to particular forms of violence, maltreatment, and premature death. They are feminist issues because these groups are neither defenceless nor passive, but agentic, empowered subjects who are engaged in the project of their own liberation from oppression. They are feminist issues because they lead to the decimation and annihilation of the material means of reproducing life - including and beyond biological reproduction, to networks of care and sociality, such as communities, schools, and universities, to essential services, such as healthcare, land, food, and water supplies - which are foundational for all life and society to flourish. War, genocide, armed conflict, and ethnic cleansing are feminist issues because they are carried out in the service of patriarchal, nationalist, and imperialist regimes of power that are damaging to all people, of all genders and sexualities. We join feminists who are today calling for the end to war and violence globally, including for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and across Palestinian territories, an immediate end to the ground and aerial bombardment of Gaza, unfettered access for humanitarian aid to Gazans, the release of hostages held in Gaza and political prisoners held in Israel, and an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine. Feminist Legal Studies has long been committed to publishing articles that critically explore the relationship between gender, war, and genocide, and we encourage academics and activists to explore and engage with our archive.
One year ago, we issued a statement to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Our statement remains timely.
On today's Lawfare Daily, @eugenia.bsky.social spoke to Jonathan Horowitz about how international humanitarian law can affect the private digital sector, the risks that tech companies can face when they provide services to a party in an armed conflict & what they should do to minimize those risks.
What a great list! Would love to join as one of the (-ish) too :)
Le CICR qualifie les conflits armés selon des critères juridiques et sur la base de faits. Comment et pourquoi qualifions-nous les conflits ? Nous venons de publier notre nouveau document de référence en français (après l'anglais et l'espagnol ⤵️).
www.icrc.org/fr/arti...
Register now!
26 November (online) the ICRC’s Chief Legal Officer & Director of Operations will discuss the ICRC's quadrennial report "International Humanitarian Law & the Challenges of Contemporary Armed Conflicts”, with remarks by the ICRC Director General.
#IHL #IntLaw @icrclawpolicy.bsky.social
Hi Mara, what a great initiative, would love to join!
As people are leaving X and joining Bluesky instead, here is a starter pack of peace and conflict researchers for all new users ⤵️
go.bsky.app/7o8tZt2
Looking forward (80%) to deliver my inaugural lecture as Dame Louise Richardson Chair.
Global Security: Is Law our Last Hope?
26 Nov, 5pm. Register below to attend online or in person
www.ox.ac.uk/event/global...
What a great idea Matt! I am also still learning here and would love to join.
