HILAC Lecture: The ICRC updated Commentaries: legal developments and novelties to enhance respect for IHL

In 2011, the ICRC embarked on a multi-year project aimed at updating its commentaries on the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. The initial Commentaries are referred to by military lawyers, jurists, judges and scholars around the world as an authoritative source of interpretation of international humanitarian law. The purpose of the update is to add to a wider dissemination and greater clarification of the content of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.  Ultimately, it can contribute to a better respect and protection for the victims of armed conflict.

On the occasion of the release of the updated Commentary on the First Geneva Convention last March, Jean-Marie Henckaerts and Eve La Haye will present the Commentaries update project and its objectives. They will also highlight some key developments and novelties in particular on the scope of the application of common Article 3 to the Geneva Conventions.

About the speakers
Jean-Marie Henckaerts is head of the ICRC project to update the Commentaries on the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977. Prior to his current position, he was the head of the ICRC’s project on customary international humanitarian law as well as the co-author of the ICRC study on the subject.

Eve La Haye joined the ICRC commentary team in 2011, after having worked several years as a Legal Adviser in the Arms Unit of the ICRC Legal Division. Between 2001 and 2005, she worked as an associate legal officer in the Appeals Chamber of the ICTY.

Time: 19.30 hrs (doors open at 19.00hrs)
Location: Humanity House
Registration: Participation is free of charge and registration is not needed. Seats are available on a first-come first-served basis.