Research 1

The Applicability of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law to International organisations

The research programme was initiated in 2002 thanks to the financial support of the Geneva International Academic Network (GIAN). The Research was supervised by Professor Robert Kolb and was completed at the end of 2003.

The report (in french) has been published (August 2005) by Bruylant as part of the UCIHL collection.

Research Team
Robert Kolb, University of Neuchâtel
Gabriele Porretto, UCIHL
Sylvain Vité, UCIHL

Other Partners
Alexandre Faite, ICRC

Summary of Project
Read the conclusions of the research

Research 2

The Legal Regime Applicable to Targeting Military Objectives in the Context of Contemporary Warfare

This research project was initiated in 2003 owing to the financial support of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDA). It was supervised by Professor Yves Sandoz and completed in October 2004.

The conclusions of the research were discussed by a panel of experts at the Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva in May 2005. A project report will be published in the UCIHL collection.

Research Team
Yves Sandoz, UCIHL
Alexandra Boivin, UCIHL

Summary of Project
Read the outline of the project
Read the conclusions of the project

Globalization, Migration and Human Rights

This research project, financed by the Geneva International Academic Network (GIAN), began on January 1, 2004 and will be ongoing for a period of two years. It is carried out in partnership with the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva (HEI) and the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Geneva (2004-2005), in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

An international conference was organised the 16 and 17 January 2006 bringing together the 25 experts involved in the project, coming from all corners of the world. The contributions of the different experts associated with the project will be published by Bruylant in the spring of 2006 in the UCIHL collection.

Research Team
Prof. Pierre Dasen, FPSE, University of Geneva
Dr Marie-Claire Caloz-Tschopp, FPSE, University of Geneva
Dr Vincent Chetail, IUHEI / CUDIH

Other Partners
Dr Manolo Abella, BIT
Mme Gloria Moreno, BIT
M. Pierre Bernard Le Bas, UNHCR
Mme Geneviève Bador, UNHCR

Summary of Project:
Read the outline of the Project

The protection of civilian populations subject to the power of a foreign army: The link between the international law of military occupation and of human rights

The research programme began on 1 September 2005 for a period of two years. It is financed by the Fond national suisse de la recherche scientifique (Swiss National Science Foundation).

The results of the research will be published as a scientific work in the CUDIH/UCIHL collection by Bruylant.

This publication will aim to respond to the needs of practioners but will nonetheless meet the demands of academic rigour. Its intended audience includes, in particular, the ICRC, which is specially mandated to oversee the protection of civilians in situations of occupation, States, international intergovernmental organisations, NGOs defending human rights and, finally, academic writers.

Research Team
Robert Kolb, University of Neuchâtel
Sylvain Vité, UCIHL

Summary of Project:
Read the outline of the Project

An analysis of state practice relating to human rights norms applicable in times of armed conflicts

The research programme was begun on 1 January 2006 for a period of ten months. It is financed through the generous support of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss government.

The aim of the research project is to identify, in light of State practice, the rules of international human rights law applicable in times of armed conflicts and to evaluate their customary nature under general international law.

The results of the study will be published as a scientific work in the CUDIH collection.

Research Team
Prof. Louise Doswald-Beck
Dr. Vincent Chetail
Dr. Stuart Maslen

Summary of Project:
Read the outline of the Project

The Research Department will shortly also be undertaking research programmes on the following topics:

• respect for IHL;
• the protection of health in IHL;
• the respect for the rule of law in post-conflict situations;
• the protection of children in armed conflicts;
• international criminal justice and peacekeeping.