Katharine Fortin

Katharine Fortin is an Associate Professor at Utrecht University where she teaches IHL and IHRL. Before joining Utrecht University, she worked at the ICTY, ICC and Norton Rose Fulbright. She is the author of The Accountability of Armed Groups under Human Rights Law (Oxford University Press, 2017) which won the 2018 Lieber Prize. She has written widely about the framework of law that applies to armed groups in non-international armed conflicts and is one of the editors of the Armed Groups and International Law blog.

Why Mali should immediately sign the 1999 Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict:

In May 2012, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Africa travelled to Bamako to meet with government representatives about steps that might be taken to protect Mali’s cultural heritage. Already then the ancient city of Timbuktu was under the control of Islamic rebels who were threatening to destroy the city’s ancient heritage. Together, the government and UNESCO agreed …

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News Roundup

Navi Pillay refers Syria’s case to International Criminal Court.  Sudanese troops clash with rebels. 

News Roundup

Syrian rebels call Cairo summit a conspiracy. More evidence of Rwanda’s rebel support. Fresh clashes between Sudanese army and rebels in Blue Nile.

News Roundup

West African leaders meet on the Mali crisis. Rebel Syrian officers plan the next step.  Date set for Lubanga’s sentencing.  Moro: Praised for Position on Anti-Personnel Mines.  Insurgents kill 10 in attack on government compound in East Afghanistan.  3 bombs in central Iraqi town kill at least 8 people.  Yutthasak says security forces have insurgency …

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News Roundup

DRC rebel defectors deny Rwanda links. In Mali, Islamists oust Tuareg rebels from Gao. Islamic rebel faction takes over Timbuktu airport in Mali. With Strikes, Syrian rebels showcase their reach. Afghan officials hail talks with insurgents. Combined force detains Taliban leader.  

News Roundup

DRC: Understanding armed group M23. Children released by armed group in northern Central African Republic.  AU: New force nearly ready to fight the LRA.  Attack destroys pro-government TV station near Damascus.  Rebel colonel killed and leader injured as death toll from Mali rebel clash.  Rebel factions clash in Northern Mali.  Congo: Rwanda tied to rebels. 

News Roundup

Rebel army backers open US office. UN to release divisive report on Rwanda support for Congo rebels. Malian militias unite against rebel occupation in the north.  Mali: Islamists seize Gao from Tuareg rebels. Assad talks ‘state of war’ as rebels attack. Insurgent attacks kill 10 police in Afghanistan.  Ethiopian blogger Eskinder Nega ‘guilty of terror …

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News Roundup

Afghan attacks jump after long drop.  Central African Republic – Victim: my daughter cried when she saw Bemba’s men assaulting me. Rebel held Syrian town struggles to keep the peace. Rwanda PM slams claims it supports Congo rebels.  Africa’s Islamist militants ‘co-ordinate efforts in threat to continent’s security’. 

Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict – Update

During yesterday’s day long open debate on the theme of the Protection of Civilians and Armed Conflict, State representatives were given the opportunity to respond to the recommendations contained in the UN Secretary-General’s May 2012 Report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. Perhaps of most interest to readers of this blog, will be State delegates reactions to …

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