| Dozent/in |
Prof. Dr. iur. Martina Caroni, LL.M. |
| Veranstaltungsart |
Vorlesung |
| Code |
FS261331 |
| Semester |
Frühjahrssemester 2026 |
| Durchführender Fachbereich |
Öffentliches Recht |
| Studienstufe |
Master |
| Termin/e |
wöchentlich (Do), ab 19.02.2026, 10:15 - 12:00 Uhr, E.509 |
| Umfang |
2 Semesterwochenstunden |
| Inhalt |
Armed conflicts remain a persistent reality of the international landscape – despite the UN Charter's prohibition on the use of force and decades of efforts toward collective security. In recent years, the increasing disregard for core principles of international humanitarian law (IHL) in numerous conflict zones has raised urgent questions about the effectiveness and resilience of this legal regime.
IHL governs situations of armed conflict, irrespective of their causes or legality. Its primary aim is to limit the human cost of warfare by protecting those who are not – or are no longer – participating in hostilities, especially civilians and combatants hors de combat. At the same time, IHL sets boundaries on the means and methods of warfare.
This course offers a systematic introduction to IHL, its historical development, legal foundations, and key concepts. The focus lies on the two main branches of IHL: the law of Geneva (protection of victims) and the law of The Hague (regulation of hostilities). The course also covers the legal frameworks applicable in both international and non-international armed conflicts and examines mechanisms for the implementation and enforcement of IHL.
Throughout the course, contemporary challenges – including recent violations, enforcement gaps, and the politicization of humanitarian norms – will be critically discussed. |
| Schlagworte |
Nachhaltigkeit |
| Lernziele |
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• identify and explain the core principles, sources, and structure of international humanitarian law (IHL),
• distinguish between the law of Geneva and the law of The Hague, and describe their respective scopes and functions,
• differentiate between the legal regimes applicable to international and non-international armed conflicts,
• analyse the protections afforded to civilians, prisoners of war, the wounded and sick, and other persons hors de combat,
• assess the legal constraints on means and methods of warfare, including the use of specific weapons and tactics,
• understand the mechanisms for the implementation and enforcement of IHL, including the role of international and domestic actors,
• and critically engage with current challenges to IHL, including its application in contemporary conflicts and the consequences of its systematic violations. |
| Voraussetzungen |
Basic knowledge of Public International Law and Human Rights Law recommended. |
| Sprache |
Englisch |
| Abschlussform / Credits |
Benotete schriftliche oder mündliche Prüfung / 5 Credits
|
| Hörer-/innen |
Ja |
| Kontakt |
lehrstuhl.caroni@unilu.ch |
| Material |
See below. |
| Literatur |
Essential teaching materials
• Course Reader “International Humanitarian Law”;
• Geneva Conventions l-lV, Additional Protocols l-lll.
These materials will be available at the Baloo Shop and on OLAT. |