20 April 2009 - 28 June 2009

Armed conflicts, in their various forms, remain rampant in today's world. Old wars and new wars, including the 'war on terror', continue to be fought, and armed violence from Iraq to Darfur impacts on the lives of civilians. Does law offer protection in armed conflicts? And does it allow us to answer questions such as: when is a war illegal? Which conduct is unlawful in an armed conflict? What are non-combatants? What are crimes against humanity? What protection exists in civil wars? What can be done to prevent the use of child soldiers? What are the duties of an occupying force?

This course offers an introduction to the law of armed conflict, or international humanitarian law, as it is known. It critically examines the role of law in armed conflict and demonstrates how law can guide the conduct of hostilities, mitigate the consequences of the use of armed force, and protect civilians in both international and non-international armed conflicts. It puts the law of armed conflict in a political context, traces recent developments in this particular area of law, discusses the role of international criminal law, the convergence between human rights and humanitarian law, gender and law, and the protection of vulnerable groups such as children. It examines situations of occupation and the impact which the 'war on terror' has on the law of armed conflict. The course is less concerned with the application of technical rules of warfare, but explores the potential and limit of law as a protective force in times of armed conflict. It is based on the understanding that knowledge of the three fields of international law which are relevant for today's armed conflicts (international humanitarian law which guides the conduct of war and protects combatants and civilians alike; human rights law, the application of which in times of armed conflict still presents many questions; and the emergence of international criminal law, which aims at deterring and remedying atrocities in armed conflicts) is imperative to analyse the conduct and consequences of armed conflicts.

Week 1. Old wars, new wars, and the legal nature of war
Week 2. The law applicable in armed conflict
Week 3. The conduct of hostilities and the protection of civilians
Week 4. Internal armed conflict
Week 5. 'Lawful' and 'unlawful' combatants
Week 6. War crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide
Week 7. Child soldiers
Week 8. Women in war
Week 9. Occupation
Week 10. Human rights in armed conflict

Level: professional

Location: Internet (e-learning course)

Participants: and professionals who want to gain knowledge in the field of the law of armed conflict, university students of international law, international relations, politics and other areas and NGO staff members. (Basic) knowledge in international law is an advantage, but not a prerequisite. Participants should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use.

Tuition, fee, lodging: The course tuition fee is US$ 725; permanent residents of non-OECD countries are eligible for a discounted tuition rate of US$ 350. Tuition for auditors is US$ 275; permanent residents of non-OECD countries are eligible for a discounted tuition rate of US$ 125. There are no scholarships available for this course. Further information and application form can be found at: http://www.hrea.org/index.php?base_id=337. Application deadline: 1 March 2009.

Contact Information:
Sandra Quintin
Distance Learning Programme
HREA
PO Box 382396
Cambridge, MA 02238-2396
USA
Tel: +1 978-341-0200
Fax: +1 978-341-0201
E-mail: applications@hrea.org
Web: http://www.hrea.org