International Humanitarian Law Clinic
The International Humanitarian Law Clinic engages students in advocacy efforts concerning adherence to and enforcement of international humanitarian law. International humanitarian law, also known as the laws of war or the law of armed conflict, encompasses the Geneva Conventions and other conventional and customary law governing the conduct of persons, states and non-state entities during conflict. The implementation and of and adherence to humanitarian law is a primary goal of organizations around the country and around the world that are working overtime to assist in prosecuting or defending individuals, raise public awareness of past, present and future atrocities, and ensure the protection of civilians and combatants in conflict regions around the world. Drawn by front page news concerning genocide, crimes against humanity, treatment of prisoners of war and other issues in the newspaper and recent landmark court decisions, law students are seeking ways to engage in “real-world” work on these issues. The IHL Clinic fits these two pieces together, pairing Emory law students with organizations, law firms, tribunals and other groups who need assistance in their work on these issues. Acting Director Charles Swift and Program Director Laurie Blank supervise the students’ work, provide classroom instruction on international humanitarian law, and work with the students as they gain firsthand experience on critical issues of our time and lay the foundation for meaningful work in international humanitarian law or related fields upon graduation from law school.
The IHL Clinic offers students opportunities to bring together theory and practice to provide innovative solutions to cutting-edge problems in international humanitarian law and international criminal law, including:
- Resolving other “war on terror” problems such as classification of detainees, treatment and abuse of prisoners (whether lawful or unlawful combatants), and trial before military commissions;
- Providing legal support to facilitate medical and religious humanitarian missions in zones of conflict;
- Raising awareness of atrocities, including crimes against humanity and genocide, committed in faraway conflicts;
- Promoting adherence to standards of conduct during hostilities, including the use of certain munitions and the use of civilians as shields;
- Researching issues arising in cases before tribunals, such as the UN Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the Iraq Tribunal, the Special Court for Sierra Leone and other regional and international courts;
- Assisting attorneys and organizations working to hold state and non-state actors accountable for violations of international humanitarian law.
Contact Us
For more information about the International Humanitarian Law Clinic, contact:
Laurie Blank
International Humanitarian Law Clinic
Emory University School of Law
1301 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
Tel: 404-712-1711
Fax: 404-727-6820
Email: lblank(at)emory.edu