Two Researchers Participate in Significant International Law Summit in Ukraine

15 December 2023

To mark the 75th anniversary of the Genocide Convention and of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the American Society of International Law and the Ukrainian Association of International Law invited international and Ukrainian lawyers in Lviv, Ukraine. The purpose of this summit was to contemplate these significant milestones and explore their contemporary relevance in fostering tangible actions for human rights. Given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the discussions particularly emphasized strategies for optimizing existing compliance and accountability mechanisms to facilitate access to justice and redress in this specific context.

Our two Researcher Fellows Dr Jonathan Andrew and Dr Nataliia Hendel participated in this major summit on behalf of the Geneva Academy and shared their insights from research on how the international rules protecting the most vulnerable in times of war and peace are implemented and respected.

‘Our participation provided an opportunity to exchange with international and Ukrainian lawyers about accountability prospects and avenues related to the armed conflict in Ukraine and lessons learned from other contexts’ explains Dr Andrew.

‘It was also important to show our solidarity with Ukrainian lawyers and our colleague Dr Hendel – hosted at the Geneva Academy under the Programme Scholars at Risk and a leading Ukrainian IHL expert – who played a key role in the organization of this summit’ he adds.

Framing Discussions on Forcible Transfer and on the Genocide Convention

Dr Nataliia Hendel co-chaired a discussion on 'Filtration, Forcible Transfer, and Mass Scale Arbitrary Detention' which examined how international legal and institutional frameworks can be mobilized to hold perpetrators accountable for forcible transfers of Ukrainians including vulnerable groups, such as children, older people, and people with disabilities.

She also moderated the plenary session titled 'Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide at 75: Never Again’, in which the panel of experts discussed the origins of the concept of “genocide” and how Western discourse may have adversely influenced foreign policies in the post-Soviet era. The panel’s debate also highlighted the status of Ukraine’s current Genocide Convention claims before the International Court of Justice and discussed how the ongoing conflict had witnessed atrocities that cemented a developing concept of “ecocide” of the country’s natural environment.

Reflecting on New Technologies and Human Rights

In the roundtable discussion on 'Law and Development in Ukraine’, Dr Jonathan Andrew provided insights from his work on emerging technologies and human rights, stressing the importance of implementing a forward-looking, achievable strategy as Ukraine looks to leverage its particular strengths and capabilities in its dynamic IT industry. His intervention also focused on the need to evaluate progress made to date in developing public administration and civic participation using new technologies and how, post-conflict, online platforms could be scaled to benefit a wider range of public services across the nation in areas such as education, healthcare and employment - emphasising how Ukraine has led this development in many areas.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

News

The Jean-Pictet Competition: Learning Beyond the Classroom

10 December 2024

Each year, the Geneva Academy sends a team of students to the Jean-Pictet Competition. Participating in this leading moot court is a life-changing experience and an integral part of our programmes.

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

Event

Strengths and Challenges of Inter-State Applications Before the European Court of Human Rights

12 May 2025, 18:30-20:00

In this Geneva Academy Talk Judge Lətif Hüseynov will discuss the challenges of inter-State cases under the ECHR, especially amid rising conflict-related applications.

Read more

Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

Read more

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

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 2023

published on July 2024

Read more

Cover of Report Publication

Artificial Intelligence And Related Technologies In Military Decision-Making On The Use Of Force In Armed Conflicts: Current Developments And Potential Implications

published on May 2024

Anna Rosalie Greipl, Neil Davison, Georgia Hinds

Read more