Event information

9 May 2019, 18:00-19:30

Downloads

Flyer >

First to be Forgotten – Persons with Disabilities and Armed Conflict

Event

View of the cover page of the publication Disability and Armed Conflict View of the cover page of the publication Disability and Armed Conflict

To launch our new publication on persons with disabilities and armed conflict, we host a joint-panel with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to explore the impact of armed conflict on persons with disabilities, as well as states, armed non-state actors and humanitarian organisations’ obligations towards them.

Armed conflict has a particularly devastating and disproportionate impact on persons with disabilities, who based on their impairment, are denied the rights and protections they are entitled to under both international human rights law (IHRL) and international humanitarian law (IHL). Persons with disabilities are the subject of targeted killings and sexual and gender-based violence, and more likely to be killed or sustain serious injury as a result of inaccessible protection mechanisms and evacuation procedures. Inaccessible humanitarian assistance (including food, water, medical care, shelters and displacement camps) has a catastrophic impact on persons with disabilities. In the aftermath of conflict, persons with disabilities are not granted equal participation and full involvement in peace processes.

Despite the severe consequences that armed conflict has on persons with disabilities, they remain the forgotten victims of armed conflict. ‘Disability’ is still widely considered a niche issue, particularly in the conflict setting and very little research or literature exists on the topic.

Our new publication ‘Disability and Armed Conflict’, the output of a three-year research project, assesses the relationship between the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and IHL, and makes recommendations regarding a range of conflict-specific issues including the proportionality assessment, effective warning systems, evacuation procedures and the treatment of prisoners of war and internees from a disability inclusive perspective. Copies of the publication will be available at this launch.

Alice Priddy, Senior Researcher at Geneva Academy will present the key findings and recommendations from our report. Her presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with key experts on IHL, the CRPD and humanitarian response.

In conjunction with this event, a photography exhibition by Giles Duley on persons with disabilities and armed conflict will take place on Quai Wilson from 30 April 30 to 30 May 2019.

Welcome and Introduction

  • Marco Sassòli, Director, Geneva Academy and Professor of International Law, University of Geneva
  • Stephen Wilkinson, Global International Humanitarian Law Advisor, Diakonia

Moderation

  • Mina Mojtahedi, Disability Inclusion Adviser, ICRC

Panelists

  • Ezequiel Heffes, Thematic Legal Advisor, Geneva Call
  • Alice Priddy, Senior Researcher, Geneva Academy
  • Hugo Slim, Head of Policy, ICRC

Registration

You need to register to attend this event via an online form on the ICRC website.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

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.

Read more

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

Read more

Special Rapporteur Sign Event

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in an Era of Escalating Armed Conflict: Where Can International Human Rights Law Help?

25 September 2025, 18:30-20:00

This evening dialogue will present the publication: International Human Rights Law: A Treatise, Cambridge University Press (2025).

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

Panel Discussion: Project

Treaty Body Members’ Platform

Started in January 2014

The Treaty Body Members’ Platform connects experts in UN treaty bodies with each other as well as with Geneva-based practitioners, academics and diplomats to share expertise, exchange views on topical questions and develop synergies.

Read more

Computer screen with warning: civilian infrastucture: do not attack Project

The Digitalization of Armed Conflict

Started in September 2020

This project will explore humanitarian consequences and protection needs caused by the digitalization of armed conflicts and the extent to which these needs are addressed by international law, especially international humanitarian law.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more