This seven-week programme, carried out by way of a two-hour seminar each Monday evening, examines the laws of war and international criminal law from the perspective of international human rights law. It confronts the crucial questions: are human rights law, the laws of war and international criminal law three distinct disciplines? Have they now become so entwined that it is not possible fully to understand one without some knowledge of the other?

Humanitarian law, international criminal law and the law of human rights have many features in common. This course will make the links between these different strands of law and show how they work together and complement each other. It will also show where they are distinct and analyse why it is necessary to acknowledge that the three bodies of law are separate, despite the fact that the three strands work towards many of the same goals.

At the course's conclusion, participants will have a real grasp of how human rights law now informs all aspects of conflict and its aftermath, including terrorism and international crimes. A certificate of attendance from the Centre for the Study of Human Rights at LSE will be awarded to all those who have successfully completed the course.

Standard

Detailed Description

Course components

• The nature of armed conflict and the rules applying to the use of force 
• International humanitarian law and international armed conflict 
• Human rights in times of armed conflict 
• Human rights, conflict and international criminal law 
• Women in war and armed conflict 
• Terrorism, war and conflict 

Why take this course?

• Offers an in-depth analysis of law, war and human rights, including a detailed overview of international human rights standards relevant to war and conflict 
• Makes the links between the laws of war, international criminal law and human rights law 
• Offers access to leading human rights practitioners and academics 
• Explains the interaction between anti-terrorism laws and international human rights law 
• Engages with contemporary matters of great importance 
• Provides a strong theoretical understanding of some of the key issues of our times 
• Participants will be provided with detailed course materials created for each session and a comprehensive collection of relevant international documents 
• Participants will also have full access and borrowing rights at the LSE Library for the duration of the course

Who should take this course?

• This course is relevant not only to those who need to be able to apply the international human rights law framework to the law of war in their work, but also to those who are interested in the added value of human rights, and in discussing and analysing all of these issues.
• For those involved in developing government policy and practice, the course will be of great strategic value. Military lawyers will be able to use the course to update their knowledge. Equally the course will be highly beneficial for those who hold government to account, including journalists, campaigners, politicians and those acting for victims of conflict. Academics and students will find the course highly rewarding as will those with a general interest in war and conflict and how it is being regulated.