Protection of Civilians and the International Legal Framework

This intensive five-day course (40 hours) provides a comprehensive understanding of the responsibilities that, in contexts of armed conflict, fall upon the parties to the conflict, national authorities, and various international actors (humanitarian, development, and peacekeeping) in order to ensure effective and sustainable protection outcomes.
The programme addresses the legal frameworks and obligations under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), including the mandate to protect civilians, which is binding at all times and in all circumstances, particularly for those not directly participating in hostilities, such as women, children, the elderly, and medical and humanitarian personnel. In-class case studies apply the fundamental rules of protection: Distinction, Proportionality, and Precaution.
Through a practical and multidisciplinary approach, participants will learn how to reduce risks and vulnerabilities in contexts of armed violence and strengthen the capacities of affected individuals and communities. The course also covers monitoring and accountability mechanisms, as well as transitional justice. Upon completion, participants will have key tools to understand, compare, and apply different civilian protection approaches used by humanitarian, development, and peacekeeping actors in real-world scenarios.

Course Contents
• The centrality of protection in humanitarian action
• Protection of civilians mandates in peacekeeping operations
• Responsibility to Protect (R2P)
• International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
• Human Rights Law
• International Criminal Law
• Internally displaced persons and refugees as vulnerable groups.
• International obligations under International Refugee Law.
• Accountability mechanisms and monitoring of violations
• Transitional justice
• Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda
• United Nations mandate on children in armed conflict

OBJECTIVE AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Understand the different concepts, principles and approaches of humanitarian, development and peacekeeping actors to protect civilians.
. Get familiarised with various legal frameworks that aim to protect vulnerable persons in armed conflict situations and beyond, such as international human rights law, international humanitarian law and refugee law.
- Learn about the role of different humanitarian actors, such as the ICRC.
- Identify monitoring and accountability mechanisms and approaches to transitional justice.
- Become familiarised with the Children and Armed Conflict mandate; Women, Peace and Security agenda; and UN conflict-related sexual violence and rule of law mandates

PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- United Nations
- Global Protection Cluster

- University degree or equivalent professional training.
- Fluency in English: B2+
- Strong interest in international affairs.

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