ALMA Newsletter - December 2018
Dear friends,
Welcome to our last newsletter for 2018. We had many interesting IHL events in 2018, including the more recent publication of the ICRC report on the International expert meeting on the principle of proportionality. These kinds of discussions emphasize the difficulties in interpreting even the basic norms of IHL, and the importance of holding comprehensive discussions on such norms with all the relevant stakeholders. We hope to see more of these experts meeting reports published in the coming years.
We at ALMA wish you a happy holiday season and a very happy 2019.
As always, you are welcome to keep in touch via our Facebook page and twitter. In order to subscribe to our mailing list please click here
Best regards
Ido Rosenzweig
ALMA Chairman
IHL Events in Israel
1) Armed Groups - Objects or Subjects of International Law? By Tom Gal: We have recently viewed the introduction of new and meaningful players to the international law arena, among them, armed groups. In light of their important role, be it in armed conflict, or outside of it, their impact on civilian population, trade and internal national affairs, it is important to address the definition of armed groups within international law and the implications of such definitions. Minerva Center for the Rule of Law under Extreme Conditions, Terrace building, University of Haifa, 19 December 2018.
2) International Humanitarian Law and Israel: The Red Cross and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, invite jurists to participate in a comprehensive training on international humanitarian law, that will take place in Tel-Aviv, commencing 30 December 2018.
Lectures will be given by leading experts in the fields of academia, state and military service, international organizations and human rights organizations - in conjunction with discussions, self-reading and practice. The program will combine theoretical knowledge, international case studies, with issues of reality in Israel and the occupied territories.
3) Annual Conference - 2018 Developments in International Law,International Law Forum of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Conference will take place at the Faculty of Law, 31 December 2018.
Calls for Papers and Opportunities
1) Israel Foreign Ministry Scholarships for the International Academy of Law Summer Course in The Hague (2019): The Department of the Legal Advisor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, awards letters of recommendation from the Israeli embassy in the Netherlands for lawyers or law students who wish to receive scholarships in the name of Shabtai Rosenne, For the 2019 Summer Course in the International Law Academy in The Hague. Deadline for submissions is by 20 December 2018.
2) Call for Nominations: "2019 Francis Lieber Prize – Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law": The American Society of International Law’s Lieber Society on the Law of Armed Conflict awards the Francis Lieber Prize to the authors of publications that the judges consider to be outstanding in the field of law and armed conflict. Deadline for submissions is by 10 January 2019.
3) Fellowship: The Georgetown Center on National Security and the Law hosts a two-year National Security Law Fellowship designed for a highly-qualified law school graduate specializing in national security law who intends to pursue an academic career. The Fellowship application is now open. Applications are due on January 11, 2019, for the two year fellowship that will begin in September 2019.
4) Historical perspectives on medical care in armed conflict, ICRC Law & Policy: The ICRC is interested in a multidisciplinary approach to this issue; submissions from academics or policy researchers with expertise in law, history, military strategy, social science or other relevant fields are welcome. Authors are invited to send short research proposals (about 2 pages) to the Washington Delegation of the ICRC at icrcevents@gmail.com for review and feedback at any time. Completed policy papers should be submitted by 31 April 2019.
IHL Articles & Media
1) Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts (RULAC) online portal: "Armed Violence in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine States Amounts to Non-International Armed Conflicts - The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights", Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
2) Jessica Pierucci, Book Review: "Humanizing the Laws of War: The Red Cross and the Development of International Humanitarian Law (DipLawMatic Dialogues).
3) Ezequiel Heffes, Administration of justice by armed groups: Some legal and practical concerns (ICRC blog).
4) Eliav Lieblich, On the Continuous and Concurrent Application of ad Bellum and in Bello Proportionality (SSRN).
5) Charlie Dunlap J.D., Military force on the border? Get the facts (Lawfire).
6) Charlie Dunlap J.D., Future War and Future Law (Lawfire).
Upcoming IHL Events
1) Dubai 2018 Core Professional Training on Humanitarian Law and Policy: The course is designed for mid- and senior-level staff of the UN and other intergovernmental agencies, components of the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, NGOs, and government agencies with direct or indirect experience of humanitarian action in situations of armed conflict. Others with relevant experience, including diplomats, military personnel, and journalists, are also encouraged to apply. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 9-11 December 2018.
2) Dubai 2018 Thematic Workshop on Engagement with Armed Non-State Actors and International Law: This course follows directly on the Dubai 2018 Core Professional Training on Humanitarian Law and Policy on 9-11 December. We encourage participants to register for both, as the Workshop is designed to build on the Core Training. 12-13 December 2018.
3) Geneva Launch: Protecting Civilians — When is ‘Incidental Harm’ Excessive?: The panel at the meeting will consider the types of harm that fall within the scope of proportionality assessments, what constitutes ‘excessive’ harm and measures that belligerents can take to give effect to the rule on proportionality. Chatham House, Geneva, Switzerland, 14 December 2018.
4) International Conference for Young Researchers on International Humanitarian Law: The Russian-Armenian University (RAU) in cooperation with the Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Armenia (ICRC) announce the 11th International Conference for Young Researchers on International Humanitarian Law. Yerevan, Republic of Armenia, 13-15 December 2018.
For information about more IHL events from all over the world, please visit our Upcoming IHL Events webpage