International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in modern times is being continuously challenged by the changing nature of contemporary armed conflict. A wide array of new technologies has entered the modern battlefield. Cyberspace has opened up a potentially new war-fighting domain. Remote controlled weapon systems such as drones are increasingly being used by the parties to armed conflicts. Automated weapons systems are also on the rise and certain autonomous systems such as combat robots are being considered for future use in the battlefield. There can be no doubt that IHL applies to these new weapons and the employment of new technology in warfare. However, these new means and methods of warfare pose legal and practical challenges in terms of ensuring their compliance with existing IHL norms, and also that due regard is given to the foreseeable humanitarian impact of their use. Another recent challenge for IHL has been the tendency of States to label all acts of warfare committed by non-State armed groups against them as acts of ‘terrorists’, especially in non-international armed conflicts.
While armed conflict and acts of terrorism are different forms of violence governed by different bodies of law, they have come to be perceived as almost synonymous due to constant conflation in the public domain. Thus, the conference aims to spread awareness and initiate discussions on contemporary challenges and prevailing scope of IHL on realities of modern warfare and its impact on protection of victims of armed conflicts.
About the organisers
The Vivekananda School of Law & Legal Studies (VSLLS) of Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (VIPS) is committed to realizing the words of Swami Vivekananda: “Man Making, Character Building and Nation Building”. Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies is affiliated to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), recognized by Bar Council of India and University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f), with NAAC ‘A’ accreditation.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an independent and non-political organisation with a large scope of strictly humanitarian activities which it undertakes through its presence in over 80 countries around the world. It has a universally recognised responsibility to promote IHL and to respond to the needs of people affected by situations of humanitarian concern, in particular armed conflict and violence.
Themes of the conference
Prospective delegates can send their submissions on the following or related themes:
- Terrorism and IHL
- Criminalisation of Humanitarian Actors/Organisations
- IHL and UN Peacekeeping Operations
- Challenge of Enforcement of IHL
- IHL and South Asia : Challenges and Way Forward
- New Technology of Warfare: Cyber Warfare, Autonomous Weapon System, Airburst
- Weapon System etc.
- Analysing Critically 70 years of Geneva Conventions
- Domestication of IHL : Case study of countries in South Asia
- Child soldiers: Victims or Combatants?
- Protection of Emblems
Submission guidelines
To qualify as delegates for the conference, applicants will have to submit abstracts of not more than 300 words. The abstracts have to be submitted HERE .
Authors of approved abstracts will be intimated by 15th December, 2018. Authors of selected papers will have to pay a participation fees of Rs. 1000/- not later than 18th December, 2018.
The last date for submission of full length papers is January 7, 2019. To view the submission guidelines, please see the weblink at the end of this document.
Eligibility criteria
Academicians, professionals, research scholars, post-graduates in law and students pursuing LL.M. from any recognised university shall be eligible to participate in the conference, subject to selection of their abstracts.
Important dates
- Last date of abstract submission 10th December, 2018
- Communication of short-listed abstracts 15th December, 2018
- Early-bird payment and registration 16th December, 2018
- Last date of payment and registration 18th December, 2018
- Submission of full length papers 7th January, 2019
- Day of Conference 19th January, 2019
Venue
Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, AU- Block, Outer Ring Road, Pitampura, Delhi, 110034.
Contact
For more information, click HERE .
If there is any query, you may write to vipsicrc2019@gmail.com.