IHL in Focus

Assessing Compliance in Contemporary Armed Conflicts

Started in January 2024

The ‘IHL in Focus’ project aims to provide states, international organizations, civil society and academics with tools of IHL analysis that are independent, impartial and pursued in accordance with the highest academic standards to support advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy, with the ultimate goal of contributing towards increased respect for IHL.

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

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.

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ECOSOC Panel United Nations News

Dr Erica Harper Warns of Dangerous Global Conflict Surge at UN ECOSOC Panel

23 June 2025

Our Head of Research and Policy Studies, Dr Erica Harper, spoke at a United Nations Economic and Social Council panel on June 16th, focused on Humanitarian Aid Under Siege.

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IHL in Focus Spot Report News

Spot Report – Water Crisis in War and Under Occupation: Current Israeli Policy and Practice in Occupied Palestinian Territory Under International Humanitarian Law

16 June 2025

The Geneva Academy has published a new spot report analysing Israeli policy and practice relating to water in the Occupied Palestinian Territory through the lens of IHL.

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RESEARCHERS

Picture of Gloria Gaggioli

Gloria Gaggioli

Former Director of the Geneva Academy and Associate Professor and Vice-Dean of the Law Faculty, University of Geneva

Gloria Gaggioli is a renowned scholar in international humanitarian law and human rights and has published widely in various fields of public international law.

Portrait of Dr Erica Harper

Erica Harper

Head of Research and Policy Studies

Erica Harper is a practitioner-academic specializing in international criminal law, human rights law and post-conflict governance.

Portrait of Anna Rosalie Greipl

Anna Rosalie Greipl

Researcher

Anna Rosalie Greipl is a Researcher contributing to the IHL in Focus project and developing updates for the RULAC portal

Portrait of Juliette Graf

Juliette Graf

Research Collaborator

Juliette Graf is a Research Collaborator for the IHL in Focus Project at the Geneva Academy

Portrait of Stuart Casey-Maslen

Stuart Casey-Maslen

Special Advisor to the IHL in Focus Project

Stuart Casey-Maslen is a Special Advisor to the IHL in Focus Project at the Geneva Academy

Past Events

Food Insecurity in Armed Conflict

10 December 2024, 18:15-20:00

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MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

disops News

Impact of digital disinformation unpacked in new research brief series

9 April 2025

Our new series of Research Briefs examine the impact of digital disinformation and potential solutions for its regulation

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bombed building News

Expert Consultation on CESCR’s General Comment on ICESCR in Armed Conflict

8 May 2025

The Geneva Academy convened an expert consultation on the CESCR’s General Comment on the Application of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Situations of Armed Conflict.

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Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

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Screenshot of the RULAC webpage Project

Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts (RULAC)

Started in May 2007

The Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts project (RULAC) is a unique online portal that identifies and classifies all situations of armed violence that amount to an armed conflict under international humanitarian law (IHL). It is primarily a legal reference source for a broad audience, including non-specialists, interested in issues surrounding the classification of armed conflicts under IHL.

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Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

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Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

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