F1HH 5170 - International Law and Protection of the Civilian Population

To examine the interplay between international law and humanitarian programs dedicated to support protected persons during armed conflicts, through three practical examples:
1- Afghanistan and the “war on terror”.
2- Iraq and the displacement of civilians.
3- The fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIL) vs coalition Forces. Learning Outcomes:

1- Students can identify protection issues in an armed conflict and design an adequate protection response following a thorough do not harm assessment.
2- Students can link legal provisions (IHL and IHRL) to protection outcomes in support of victims of armed conflicts.
3- Students have a good understanding of best practices and challenges of the humanitarian programs dedicated to support victims of armed conflicts. Professional Skills:
1. Analysis of protection needs in conflict settings, definition of the relevant humanitarian programs and its implementation.
2. Policy and advocacy strategies.
3. Humanitarian diplomacy.

Ghazal SOTOUDEH

Séminaire

English

- In Class Presence: 24 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 60 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 30 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 30 hours a semester

International humanitarian law (basic), international human rights law (basic), international relations and geopolitics (advanced).

Autumn 2025-2026

To validate the course, the student is expected to pass the following assignments:

- Presence and participation during the semester (10%);
- Participation in group work: interactive case-studies (3 case studies will be organized throughout the semester, one every 3 weeks), (40%);

Case study 1: One oral intervention on a situation of internment in an international armed conflict + in a situation of a non-international armed conflict. (Fictional scenarios)
Case study 2: One written report on the conduct of hostilities in a situation of international armed conflict. (Fictional scenario)
Case study 3: Visits and interviews of detainees / prisoners of wars.

- Essay (4,000 words) on a chosen topic relating to the subject matter due at the end of the semester (50%).

Feedback will be provided after each case studies orally and in writing. For the essay, feedback will be provided in writing.