11 February-24 March 2015 (E03115) | Closed
Instructor: Dr. Gerd Oberleitner
This e-learning course offers a basic introduction to international humanitarian law (or the law of armed conflict). It is a foundation course for other HREA e-learning courses in this area and serves as a stepping stone for developing expertise in specialised areas of the law of armed conflict. The course examines how international humanitarian law guides the conduct of hostilities, restrains the use of force, mitigates the consequences of warfare and protects civilians in international and non-international armed conflicts and in situations of occupation. The course also discusses the role of international criminal law and international human rights law in armed conflicts as well as ways and means to enforce adherence to international humanitarian law.
Learners will acquire basic knowledge on the development, scope and purpose of international humanitarian law and on the basic protective principles (such as distinction between civilian objects and military objectives, military necessity, proportionality, the prohibition of non-discriminatory weapons, and precautions in targeting). They will examine the difference between international and non-international armed conflicts and the concept of lawful combatancy and learn about the law of occupation. They will also learn about ways to ensure adherence to IHL, including the role of the ICRC and international criminal justice.