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The Use of Force in Law Enforcement and Hostilities


Dozent/in Prof. Nils Melzer; Director of International Law, Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy (ICRC), former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture
Veranstaltungsart Gastlehrveranstaltung
Code FS251182
Semester Frühjahrssemester 2025
Durchführender Fachbereich Öffentliches Recht
Studienstufe Master
Termin/e Fr, 04.04.2025, 09:15 - 12:00 Uhr | 13:00 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 5
Sa, 05.04.2025, 09:15 - 12:00 Uhr | 13:00 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 5
Mi, 16.04.2025, 08:30 - 09:30 Uhr, HS 1 (Prüfung)
Umfang 1 Semesterwochenstunde
Inhalt This course will examine the international legal standards governing the use of force in police, military and counter-terrorism operations. Foundational lectures will distinguish the concepts of “law enforcement” and “hostilities” and introduce the rules and principles governing the use of force in each situation, with a particular focus on "grey-zone" situations. Case studies will allow students to directly examine practical scenarios reflecting the challenges arising in operational reality and to discuss them in class. The overarching aim of the course is to illustrate and reaffirm the practical relevance of the rule of law with regard to the use of force in the contemporary security environment.
Lernziele To familiarise students with the international legal standards governing the use of force in police, military and counter-terrorism operations and to explore current challenges and debates affecting the rule of law in this context.
Voraussetzungen None
Sprache Englisch
Begrenzung Yes, 50
Anmeldung Registration/Deregistration mandatory on the UniPortal from Feb 17, 08.00 until April 7, 2025, 24.00 / counts as exam registration / Law students with Bachelor's degree will be given priority.
Prüfung Digital take home exam without zoom supervision
The failed exam of a guest lecture cannot be repeated. In order to pass the guest lecture module, it’s necessary to take the exam of another guest lecture.
Abschlussform / Credits Schriftliche Prüfung, passed or failed / 2 Credits
Hörer-/innen Ja
Kontakt nils.melzer@geneva-academy.ch
Anzahl Anmeldungen 0 von maximal 50
Literatur

What’s indispensable?

•    ICRC, Violence and the Use of Force, 2015 (free download: https://shop.icrc.org/violence-and-the-use-of-force-pdf-en.html);

•    UN General Assembly, Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, "Extra-custodial use of force and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment", UN Doc. A/72/178, 20.07.2017 (free PDF: https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n17/223/15/pdf/n1722315.pdf).

Further Literature

•    Melzer, "Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities”, ICRC, 2009, (free PDF: https://shop.icrc.org/interpretive-guidance-on-the-notion-of-direct-participation-in-hostilities-under-international-humanitarian-law-pdf-en.html);

•    Melzer, "International Humanitarian Law – a Comprehensive Introduction” (ICRC, Geneva 2022) (free PDF: https://shop.icrc.org/international-humanitarian-law-a-comprehensive-introduction-pdf-en.html);

•    Melzer, "Targeted Killing in International Law” (Oxford University Press, 2008);

•    APT/CEJIL, "Torture in International Law - a guide to jurisprudence" (2008) (free PDF: https://www.apt.ch/sites/default/files/publications/jurisprudenceguide.pdf);

•    De Laurentiis/Nicolescu, "The Prohibition of Torture: an Introductory Guide", Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law, American University Washington College of Law (https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/fac_works_pubs/15/).

Podcast:

•    OMCT Interview with Nils Melzer “Why is police violence increasing?” (8 June 2021) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLRrV5hbT2c).