Tuesday 15 November 2016

Guest lecture on Peacekeeping since Rwanda: Reflections of a Legal Officer’s Experience 22 years on - 5 December

The International Law Centre is pleased to announce that Dr Bruce Oswald, Associate Professor and Director of the Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law in the Melbourne Law School at the University of Melbourne, will hold a lecture on the topic of Peacekeeping since Rwanda: Reflections of a Legal Officer’s Experience 22 years on. The lecture will be held 5 December at 15:00-16:30 in Lejonsköldska.

In 1996 Bruce Oswald wrote an article: ‘Peacekeeping in Rwanda – A Lawyer’s Experience’ which was published in the Australian Law Journal. That article was based on his experiences as an Army legal adviser to the Australian Defence Force Contingent serving in Rwanda in 1994. What has changed in UN peacekeeping law and practice 22 years later? Bruce Oswald will briefly discuss among other things: the protection of civilians by peacekeepers; the rule of law industry; the accountability of peacekeepers; and the role of military peacekeepers in post-conflict state building.  He will also speak about some of the major challenges for UN peacekeeping. His primary focus will be on the extent to which law influences the policy and practice of UN peacekeeping today, drawing on his research and practice since deploying to Rwanda.

Bruce "Ossie" Oswald is an Associate Professor and Director of the Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law in the Melbourne Law School at the University of Melbourne. His interests in law and practice are in the areas of international humanitarian law, peace operations, state building, accountability and responsibility, and the application of human rights law to military operations. More specifically, his interests are in examining the law and practice surrounding the protection of civilians, the taking and handling of detainees during military operations, and militias undertaking law and order functions. Ossie has served in the Australian Regular Army as a legal officer. He has seen operational service in Rwanda, the Former Yugoslavia, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. He has provided legal advice and held staff appointments as a legal officer at tactical, operational and strategic levels. During his service in Australia he provided legal advice to the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, Headquarters Australian Theatre, Strategic Command and Directorate of Operations and International Law. Ossie continues to serve in the Army Reserves as a legal officer. For his service as the Legal Officer for the Australian Contingent serving in Rwanda, Ossie was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC). In 1997 Ossie worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Former Yugoslavia. Ossie was a Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow (October 2012 - June 2013) at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington DC, USA.


The event will be held in English at Försvarshögskolan, Drottning Kristnas Väg 37 in Lejonsköldska at 15:00-16:30. If you are interested in attending, email: international.law.centre@fhs.se
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Thursday 10 November 2016

New Publication: Harrison Dinniss / Kleffner, Soldier 2.0: Military Human Enhancement and International Law, 92 ILS (2016) 432-482

Heather Harrison Dinniss and Jann Kleffner have just publisdhed an article in the US Naval War College's international law journal 'International Law Studies' on international legal aspects of military human enhancement, ie technologies that can endow humans with physical or mental abilities that go beyond the statistically normal level of functioning. The use of these human enhancement technologies by the military, for instance in the spheres of biotechnology, cybernetics and prosthetics, raise a number of questions under the international legal frameworks governing military technology, namely the law of armed conflict and human rights law. The article examines these frameworks with a focus on weapons law, the law pertaining to the detention of and by “enhanced individuals,” the human rights of those individuals and their responsibility for the actions they take while under the influence of enhancements.
The article can be accessed at: http://stockton.usnwc.edu/ils/vol92/iss1/14/.
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Monday 31 October 2016

Seminar on the protection of the environment during armed conflicts – 8 November

The International Law Centre is holding an event on the protection of the environment during armed conflicts with Dr. Britta Sjöstedt at Försvarshögskolan on Tuesday 8 November 14:00-15:30

Dr. Britta Sjöstedt is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Lund University, Sweden, researching and teaching public international law, in particular, the use of force, international humanitarian law and transitional justice. She is currently appointed director of the course public international law at the Swedish Law Programme. Britta defended her PhD thesis in May 2016, which focused on questions on how international humanitarian law and international environmental law protect the environment during armed conflict and how to reconcile these two branches of international law. She has published several articles and book chapters related to her research topic and been involved in the work of the International Law Commission on the topic Protection of the Environment in relation to Armed Conflict. Britta was rewarded with the prestigious Australian Endeavour Research Scholarship in 2014 to conduct research at the University of New South Wales, Australia. In 2015, she was admitted to the League of European Research Universities (LERU) visiting programme and within this programme she made a research visit at Leiden Law School (May, 2015). She is also a contributor to the international law blog ‘Intlawgirrls’.

The seminar will focus on how environmental treaties, also referred to as multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), can enhance the protection of the environment during armed conflicts. The topic covers both international and non-international armed conflicts, as well as the immediate aftermath of armed conflicts.

In warfare, environmental harm can lawfully take place if it serves to attain successful military operations. This is because the law of armed conflict is considered to apply as the lex specialis in wartime. Dr. Sjöstedt suggests that instead of determining which rule prevails, a ‘reconciliatory approach’ can be undertaken if two rules are normatively incoherent and apply to the same subject matter at the same time. The approach opens up the possibility for harmonisation of the obligations of MEAs and the law of armed conflict, and opts for a complementary application of both legal frameworks in order to safeguard the environment.

The event will be held in English at Försvarshögskolan, Drottning Kristnas Väg 37 in room N203A+B. If you are interested in attending, email: international.law.centre@fhs.se
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Thursday 16 June 2016

New report from Syrian Commission of Inquiry on crimes against the Yazidis

The UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic published  a report today documenting crimes committed against the Yazidis by ISIS in Syria. The crimes documented include genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The report is based on 45 interviews with survivors, religious leaders, smugglers, activists, lawyers, medical personnel, and journalists, and corroborating documentary material.

The full report is available here. A press release from the Commission of Inquiry is available here.

/ Sally
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Thursday 2 June 2016

New publication on teaching gender in the military


The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and the Partnership for Peace Consortium (PfPC) have published a new handbook on teaching gender in military operations. Sally Longworth drafted Chapter 2 on the international legal framework and history of the Security Council's women, peace and security agenda. The handbook is available online here.



/ Sally
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Tuesday 24 May 2016

Conference The International Law of Military Operations: Mapping the Field, Exeter 21-23 June 2016



The International Society for Military Law and the Law of War and Exeter Law School cordially invite you to participate in a conference on ‘The International Law of Military Operations’ taking place on 21-23 June 2016 in Exeter.
The aim of the event is to deepen our understanding of the international law of military operations from a comparative and practical perspective.
Military deployments in the territory of other States are subject to a diverse range of rules under international law. In recent years, it has become increasingly common to refer to these rules as ‘operations law’ or the ‘international law of military operations’. Despite the growing popularity of the term, its meaning and utility remain uncertain.
The conference will map the field by focusing on the scope and concept of operations law, its current challenges and future training needs. The event will offer a unique opportunity for legal advisors and others working in the area to engage with world-leading experts from the UK and abroad to debate some of the most pressing legal challenges facing military operations.
Confirmed speakers include Professors Mike Schmitt, Terry Gill, Jann Kleffner and Major-General Blaise Cathcart.


Further information is available at: http://www.opslaw.co.uk/



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Wednesday 4 May 2016

New publication: The Defence in International Criminal Trials

Sally Longworth contributed a chapter on 'Sentencing at the International Criminal Court' in the newly published The Defence in International Criminal Trials, edited by Dr. Mayeul Hiéramente and Dr. Patricia Schneider. The book is a compiles observations from practitioners and researchers on the role of the Defence at the ad hoc international criminal tribunals and the International Criminal Court. Further information is available here.

/ Sally


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Tuesday 26 April 2016

New Publication: Routledge Handbook of the Law of Armed Conflict

Jann Kleffner has contributed the chapter on 'Sources of the Law of Armed Conflict' in the newly published Routledge Handbook of the Law of Armed Conflict, edited by Rain Liivoja and Tim McCormack. The Handbook provides a unique perspective on the field covering all the key aspects of the law as well as identifying developing and often contentious areas of interest. The handbook features original pieces by international experts in the field, including academics, staff of relevant NGOs and (former) members of the armed forces.
More information about the book is available here.



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Monday 21 March 2016

Launch of updated ICRC Commentary on the First Geneva Convention



On 22 March 2016, the International Committee of the Red Cross will launch the updated Commentary to the First Geneva Convention. Jann Kleffner is one of the authors of the Commentary and member of the Reading Committee.

For further information and registration for the launch event, see here.

Background information about the Commentary can be found in the attached flyer.

/ Jann
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Wednesday 2 March 2016

Ola Engdahl is appointed as a delegate to the "Folkrätts- och nedrustningsdelegation"

Ola Engdahl has been appointed delegate to the newly re-established Folkrätts- och nedrustningsdelegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Margot Wallström. The delegation will  give suggestions on Swedish positions and initiatives on questions related primarily to international humanitarian law and disarmament.  Other delegates include the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the Secretary-Generals of the Swedish Red Cross and Doctors without Borders.

Further information can be found here.

/ Ola
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Friday 12 February 2016

Forthcoming podcast on gender perspectives on international humanitarian law

On 17 February, the Advanced Training Program on Humanitarian Action at Harvard Humanitarian Initiative's Humanitarian Academy at Harvard will hold a podcast on gender perspectives on international humanitarian law. Captain Anna Björsson, Gender Advisor in the Swedish Armed Forces, and Cecilia Tengroth, Legal Adviser for the Swedish Red Cross, are among the expert commentators.

Further information on the event can be found here. You can register for the event here.

/ Sally




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Wednesday 3 February 2016

Event - transitional justice and the conflict in Syria - 11 February 1600-1730 at FHS


The International Law Centre, together with the International Legal Assistance Consortium and the Swedish Network for Transition Justice, has the pleasure of inviting you to take part in a panel discussion on transitional justice and the conflict in Syria on 11 February:

Transitional justice and the conflict in Syria – progress, opportunities and lessons learned

The armed conflict in Syria, ongoing for over five years now, has devastated the lives of people living in the country and profoundly highlighted the impact of armed conflict on international peace and security. The international community has taken some measures to address the conflict, including the passing of Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) obliging Member States to criminalise the act of nationals and other persons travelling from their territories for the purpose of terrorism, and documenting violations of human rights and the law of armed conflict by the International Independent Commission of Inquiry in the Syrian Arab Republic.

With prospects of peace under discussion, many questions face the Syrian people assisted by the international community. For example, how should the work done in documenting violations of international legal standards and ensuring accountability be taken forward? What lessons can be learned in investigating, finding and documenting missing persons from other conflicts, and what are the hopes for the situation in Syria?

Against this background, this event will discuss the progress, opportunities and lessons learned in addressing violations committed in the conflict in Syria.

Date and time: Thursday 11 February 2016, 16:00-17:30
Location: Sverigesalen
Address: Försvarshögskolan, Drottning Kristnas Väg 37
Language: English

Programme:
16:00                 Sally Longworth, Försvarshögskolan - Introduction and welcome
16:05                 Sareta Ashraph, Senior Analyst, International Independent Commission of Inquiry in the Syrian Arab Republic
16:25                 Dr. Ola Engdahl, Associate Professor of International Law, Försvarshögskolan and member of the Swedish inquiry into the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) and its relation to international humanitarian law
16:45                 Kathryne Bomberger, Head of the International Commission for Missing Persons
17:05                 Questions from the audience
17:30                 End - Drinks available in the officers mess

Please register your interest in attending the event with Sally.Longworth@fhs.se and feel free to forward the information to others who may be interested in the event.

Background on the Swedish Transitional Justice Network:

The network is comprised of Swedish civil society organisations and academic researchers active in international development, peace and conflict, human rights and rule of law issues. The network was initiated by the Swedish Foundation for Human Rights with the support of International Legal Assistance Consortium.
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Thursday 28 January 2016

Discussion on the legal interoperability in joint military operations – NATO and non-NATO countries - 4 February

The International Law Centre is holding an event on the legal interoperability in joint military operations between NATO and non-NATO countries with NATO Legal advisor Lewis Bumgardner to be held at Försvarshögskolan on Thursday 4 February 15:30-17:00.

Lewis Bumgardner served for 24 years as a Judge Advocate in US Marine Corps, retiring as a Colonel. He then worked as a legal advisor for the UN Mission in Liberia before being hired in 2005 as the legal advisor for the NATO Allied Command Transformation Staff Element Europe in Belgium. In addition, he is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the St. John’s University School of Law in New York and  Chairman of the LOAC Task Group at the NATO Training Group, as well as lecturer at SWEDINT.

The term “legal interoperability” addresses the process of making legal rules to enable cooperation between States across jurisdictions. It is an area of growing importance in joint military operations between NATO and non-NATO countries, such as Sweden.  

The event will be held in English at Försvarshögskolan, Drottning Kristnas Väg 37 in room N203A+B. If you are interested in attending, email martin.hamilton@fhs.se.

/ Sally
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Tuesday 12 January 2016

UK Government’s policy on the use of drones for targeted killing - transcript of evidence given by Minister of Defence

On 16 December 2015, the UK's Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon, gave evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights on its inquiry into the UK Government's policy on the use of drones for targeted killing. The transcript of the meeting is available online here.

Background on the Joint Committee's inquiry is available here.


/ Sally
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