In September, GCILS Director, Professor Robin Geiß starts new joint initiative at the Geneva Academy, “Digitalization of Conflict Joint Initiative: Humanitarian Impact and Legal Protection”. This project aims to explore humanitarian consequences and protection needs caused by the digitalization of armed conflicts and the extent to which these needs are addressed by international law, especially international humanitarian law (IHL).
This joint initiative adopts a multi-disciplinary perspective that takes into consideration the interrelated technical, military, ethical, policy, legal and humanitarian aspects to address three overarching questions:
- What risks, potential humanitarian consequences, and protection needs for conflict-affected populations arise on the digital battlefield?
- Does international law, in particular IHL, adequately address these risks and protection needs?
- If not, what recommendations could be developed in terms of law and policy beyond the existing IHL framework to mitigate these risks and address these protection needs?
The ‘Digitalization of Conflict Initiative’ is a joint endeavour between the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss IHL Chair at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. The initiative will move forward in cooperation and close consultation with a broad range of relevant stakeholders from governments, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, academia, and the private sector.
For more details about this project, please go to: https://www.geneva-academy.ch/research/our-project/detail/78-digitalization-of-conflict-joint-initiative-humanitarian-impact-and-legal-protection