An Introduction to the International Law of Armed Conflicts

Description

This book provides a modern and basic introduction to a branch of international law constantly gaining in importance in international life, namely international humanitarian law (the law of armed conflict). It is constructed in a way suitable for self-study. The subject-matters are discussed in self-contained chapters, allowing each to be studied independently of the others. Among the subject-matters discussed are, inter alia: the Relationship between jus ad bellum / jus in bello; Historical Evolution of IHL; Basic Principles and Sources of IHL; Martens Clause; International and Non-International Armed Conflicts; Material, Spatial, Personal and Temporal Scope of Application of IHL; Special Agreements under IHL; Role of the ICRC; Targeting; Objects Specifically Protected against Attack; Prohibited Weapons; Perfidy; Reprisals; Assistance of the Wounded and Sick; Definition of Combatants; Protection of Prisoners of War; Protection of Civilians; Occupied Territories; Protective Emblems; Sea Warfare; Neutrality; Implementation of IHL.

Robert Kolb is Professor of Public International Law at the University of Geneva and Counsel for Lalive Attorneys-at-Law, Geneva. He has worked as legal adviser at the International Committee of the Red Cross from 1998 to 1999 and occasionally for the International Law Directorate of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. Richard Hyde is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Nottingham. He specialises in International Law and Criminal Law.

...a succinct, but authoritative, overview that is suitable for the many law and undergraduate course now offered in this rather popular but gruesome subject. Amercian Society of International Law newsletter Issue 39 May 2009 Robert Kolb's and Richard Hyde's "Introduction to the International Law of Armed Conflicts"... is not only timely, but in fact closes a significant gap in the didactic legal literature...This contribution reflects a formidable balance between the simplicity and accessibility of an introductory volume and the comprehensiveness and depth of a full-fledged legal textbook...Students constitute the target audience ...and I highly recommend ths instructive contribution to them. Robert Geia German Yearbook of International Law Vol. 51, 2008 Resolument oriente vers l'apprentissage, cet ouvrage constitue un veritable qui rendra service aux jurists en formation ainsi qu'a toute personne ayant a connaitre les bases du droit international humanitaire. S.R.-C Annuaire Francais de Droit International October 2009 The educational role of this book is evident, as each section, covering roughly 5-15 pages, includes a learning objective, an analysis of the topic discussed and a comprehension check with questions and answers. This last part is equally interesting and worth reading, as it provides further clarifications of the law or gives practical examples on how the law should be interpreted and applied in practice. The book is not technical, as it is written in simple and accessible language for every student or professional, who is interested in humanitarian law and is not familiar with the topic. Additionally it could serve as a textbook for academic use or as a tool of dissemination of humanitarian law rules to the general public. As the titles reveals, it is an introduction and therefore it is not addressed to people with substantial prior knowledge in the law of armed conflict. On the other hand it offers much more than just a basic introduction, while it is also comprehensive enough, without the need to resort to the text of the relevant treaties. Overall the book provides the essential information on the law of armed conflict, while it functions as an appetizer for a deeper study of this area. Konstantinos Mastorodimos Web Journal of Current Legal Issues 2010, Issue 4