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The Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts Project is an initiative of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights to support the application and implementation of international law in armed conflict. Through its global database and analysis, the Project aims ultimately to report on every concerned State and disputed territory in the world, considering both the legal norms that apply as well as the extent to which they are respected by the relevant actors.

NEWS

Towards an Arms Trade Treaty: ATT Process 

Convention on Cluster Munitions enters into force

With 38 ratifications and 108 signatories, the Convention on Cluster Munitions officially entered into force on 1 August 2010.

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel to enter into force

The Optional Protocol is to enter into force 30 days after its twenty-second ratification, that of the United Kingdom on 20 July 2010.
 
Online database of customary international humanitarian law (Study conducted by the International Committee of the Red Cross)
 
To access the database, please click here. 
For a more refined search, please note that the database is divided in two parts:
  • Part 1 catalogues the 161 rules of customary international humanitarian law.
  • Part 2 catalogues practice in the area of international humanitarian law collected for the purpose of the Study on customary international humanitarian law conducted by the International Committee of the Red Cross.


 
Recent developments
Other
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has formed a committee to seek peace talks with the Taliban, his office has said. BBC News, 4 September 2010
Other
"Obama Declares an End to Combat Mission in Iraq", The New York Times, 31 August 2010
UN resolutions and reports
A draft UN report says crimes by the Rwandan army and allied rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo could be classified as genocide. BBC News, 27 August 2010 (The final UN report is to be made public on 1 October 2010).
Other
Blackwater private security company reaches a deal to pay $42 million in fines for violations of US export control regulations (including illegal weapons exports to Afghanistan, making unauthorized proposals to train troops in south Sudan and providing sniper training for Taiwanese police officers). The New York Times, 20 August 2010