Event information

10 October 2023, 12:30-14:30
Register start 25 September 2023
Register end 9 October 2023

Armed Groups and International Law: A Legal Shadowland

Event

Cover page of the book Cover page of the book

This event marks the launch in Geneva of the volume Armed Groups and International Law. In the Shadowland of Legality and Illegality (Edward Elgar, 2023), edited by Katharine Fortin and Ezequiel Heffes. On this occasion, panelists will reflect on the status of armed groups within a complex legal landscape, examining the tensions that arise due to their actions existing across a spectrum of legality and illegality.

Introductory Remarks

  • Marco Sassòli, Professor of International Law, University of Geneva Law Faculty and a Geneva Academy Faculty Member

Moderation

  • Omar Ahmed Abenza, Head of East Africa Region, Geneva Call

Panelists

  • Ezequiel Heffes, Director, Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict
  • Katharine Fortin, Associate Professor, Utrecht University School of Law
  • Gloria Gaggioli, Associate Professor, University of Geneva Law Faculty and Director, Geneva Academy

About the book

Through its careful consideration of the status of armed groups within a complex legal landscape, Armed Groups and International Law identifies and examines the tensions that arise due to their actions existing across a spectrum of legality and illegality. Considering the number of armed groups currently exercising governance functions and controlling territory and population in the world, its analysis is especially topical.

Armed Groups and International Law provides essential peer-reviewed analyses of the place of armed groups in the legal framework. A collaborative effort between eminent scholars from different disciplines, it summarises various points of contention within the study of these armed actors, detailing examples that are highly relevant to the contemporary world. Armed Groups and International Law is an invitation to see ‘armed groups’ differently, focusing on the various functions and activities they undertake in armed conflict. Addressing law-making, rebel governance and accountability, this book will be of great benefit to students of international humanitarian law, human rights law, international criminal law, and public international law seeking to expand their understanding of the treatment of armed groups within the international legal system. It will also serve as a useful resource for practitioners working in the area of civilian protection and academics conducting research on armed conflict from a variety of disciplines.

Drinks

This book launch will be followed by drinks.

Get Ready: Relevant Links

 

Disclaimer

This event may be filmed, recorded and/or photographed on behalf of the Geneva Academy. The Geneva Academy may use these recordings and photographs for internal and external communications for information, teaching and research purposes, and/or promotion and illustration through its various media channels (website, social media, newsletters, annual report, etc.).

By participating in this event, you are agreeing to the possibility of appearing in the aforementioned films, recordings and photographs, and their subsequent use by the Geneva Academy.

 

 

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

IHL in Focus Spot Report News

Water Wars: How Sudan’s Conflict Weaponizes a Basic Human Need

4 August 2025

Our latest spot report explores how the targeting of water infrastructure is contributing to what is now considered the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, affecting 30 million people.

Read more

2024 Geneva Academy Annual Report News

Our 2024 Annual Report

28 July 2025

Our 2024 Annual Report highlights significant achievements in international humanitarian law education and research during a year marked by deepening global humanitarian crises.

Read more

Iraq, Mosul. View of the west bank after the war. Project

IHL in Focus

Started in January 2024

As a yearly publication, it keeps decision-makers, practitioners and scholars up-to-date with the latest trends and challenges in IHL implementation in over 100 armed conflicts worldwide – both international and non-international.

Read more

Surveillance Camera Project

COUNTER-TERROR PROJECT: A LEGAL EMPIRICAL APPROACH

Started in June 2019

The ‘Counter-Terror Pro LegEm’ project combines legal analysis with social science research to (1) examine the effectiveness of counterterrorism measures and their effects on human rights and (2) analyse the structure of terrorist networks such as Al Qaeda or the Islamic State and see whether they qualify as ‘organized armed groups’ for the purpose of international humanitarian law.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more