• E4J University Module Series: Counter-Terrorism

• Module 6: Military / Armed Conflict Approaches to Countering Terrorism

• Introduction and learning outcomes

• Key issues

• • Core principles of international humanitarian law
  • Categorization of an armed conflict
  • Classification of persons
  • International humanitarian law, terrorism and counter-terrorism
  • Relationship between international humanitarian law and international human rights law

• Exercises and case studies

• Possible class structure

• Core reading

• Advanced reading

• Student assessment

• Additional teaching tools

• References

 

Published in July 2018.

 

 

  This module is a resource for lecturers  

 

Introduction

 

The previous three Modules ( Modules 3-5) examined the principal legal instruments governing regional and international criminal justice/human rights approaches to countering terrorism. As it was observed, criminal justice approaches, underpinned by the rule of law, should be the normal response to terrorist threats and crimes. Building on the core objectives and sources of international humanitarian law (IHL) explained in Module 3, this Module focuses on issues of particular relevance to counter-terrorism efforts within an armed conflict setting. In particular, it focuses on recent and currently contentious issues that have arisen in respect of non-State actors such as Al Qaida and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), namely in response to the classification of different types of conflict and applicable bodies of rules; and, the existence and implications of the categorization of persons as combatants, protected persons or criminals (some use the term 'unlawful combatants').

 

Learning outcomes   

• Understand foundational International Humanitarian Law concepts and principles relevant to counter-terrorism operations in an armed conflict situation.
• Explain the correct legal classification of conflict situations and associated classification of non-State actors within these situations, and the legal implications of such classification.
• Examine some of the principal contentious issues that can arise in an armed conflict setting in relation to non-State terrorist actors.
• Consider the notion of terrorism in an armed conflict setting, including specific related rules of International Humanitarian Law.
• Explain the relationship between International Humanitarian Law and international human rights law, including the concept of lex specialis.

 

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