Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research Harvard University
Spotlight On
HPCR Manual on International Law Applicable to Air and Missile Warfare
The Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research (HPCR), based at Harvard University, is pleased to announce the completion of the Black Letter Rules of the "HPCR Manual on International Law Applicable to Air and Missile Warfare". For more information, please click here.
Live Seminar: Seeking Justice in the Wake of War
This Live Seminar will take place on February 18, 2010. Registration required. Read more about the event here.
Live Event: Interacting with Private Security Providers in Armed Conflict: Challenges and Opportunities
The Live Event took place on February 2, 2010. Read more about the event here.
Selected Reports
Paramilitaries' Heirs: The New Face of Violence in Colombia
3 February 2010 (Human Rights Watch )
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Combatant Status and Computer Network Attack
1 February 2010 (Sean Watts)
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Medellin, the Alien Tort Statute, and the Domestic Status of International Law
1 February 2010 (David H. Moore)
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The Relevance of International Law to (the Substantive and Procedural Rules of) Preventive Detention in Armed Conflict - A Rejoiner to Al-Bihani
29 January 2010 (John Dehn)
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Canada: Demand Return of Ex-Child Soldier from Guantanamo
29 January 2010 (Human Rights Watch)
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Negotiations and Reconciliation with the Taliban: The Key Policy Issues and Dilemmas
28 January 2010 (Vanda Felbab-Brown, The Brookings Institute)
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Indefinite Detention: Campaign Promises Meet Political Realities
28 January 2010 (The Jurist, Victor Hansen and Lawrence Friedman)
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Drones: War from Afar
27 January 2010 (Micah Zenko)
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Letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown: Don't Shackle UK Courts on War Crimes and Torture
27 January 2010 (Human Rights Watch)
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Afghanistan: war's heavy toll on civilians
26 January 2010 (ICRC )
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Selected News
Multi-national Operations, Unity of Effort, and the Law of Armed Conflict
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Islamic Jurisprudence and the Regulation of Armed Conflict
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Introduction to Islamic Law
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Private Security Contractors in the OPT: An IHL Perspective
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Transnational Armed Groups and International Humanitarian Law
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IHL Issue Exploration
A number of short primers on international humanitarian law and policy issues of contemporary relevance are available. Read more of our IHL Primer Series.
What is IHL?
IHL is a legal framework applicable to situations of armed conflict. IHL can be generally defined as the laws and customs aiming to limit the effects of armed conflict for humanitarian reasons.
Sexual Violence
Among weapons used in armed conflict, rape and other forms of sexual violence are especially pernicious.
White Phosphorus Munitions
Recently the U.S. accused the Taliban of using white phosphorus (WP) in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in civilian areas in Afghanistan, as well as in mortar and rocket attacks against U.S. forces.
Site Search
E-Library 
Highlights
- International Criminal Court, Legal Texts and Tools
- U.N., Audiovisual Library of International Law
- Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School, International & Operational Law Department Documents
- ICRC, Interpretative Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities (2009)