Humanitarian
202 Articles

Death Toll Climbs in Ukraine With Russia’s ‘Double-Tap’ Strikes
The tactic adds to evidence of intent to kill civilians through targeted or indiscriminate attacks, including on aid workers and institutions.

Assessing Jus Ad Bellum Proportionality: A Factored Approach
Nine factors, considered in their totality, would provide a more nuanced understanding of jus ad bellum proportionality and assist States in identifying specific concerns with…

Humanitarian Notification in Gaza is Broken: How to Document and Respond When Things Go Wrong
Humanitarian notification has failed in Gaza. Better documentation and response systems can protect humanitarian actors and improve accountability.

UN Special Rapporteur Report on Afghanistan Adds to Momentum to Recognize Gender Apartheid as a Crime Against Humanity
The UN Special Rapporteur concludes that the Taliban’s policies of removing women and girls from public life can best be described as “gender apartheid”—a term that multiple…

The Just Security Podcast: Attacks on Health in Armed Conflict
An expert team from Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and local partners unpacks patterns of attacks on health care in armed conflicts.

What Happens When We Get What We Pay for: Generative AI and the Sale of Digital Authenticity
As social media platforms become inundated with AI-generated disinformation, digital authenticity and amplification should not be for sale.

Toward a Global Sanctions Compact for Long-Overdue Reform
A checklist to clarify and expand exemptions when needed could lead to a broad agreement on how to use these measures for peace and security.

The Just Security Podcast: Protecting Cultural Heritage During Armed Conflict
Bonnie Docherty discusses how a new legal framework could change how nations protect cultural heritage during armed conflict.

Provision of Healthcare by Islamist Armed Groups: Between Sharia and International Law
Case studies reveal that Islamist rebel groups may be willing to comply with certain international humanitarian norms if linked to Sharia law.

Whose Justice? Rohingya Perspectives on Post-Atrocity Justice
Survey results from over 400 Rohingya survivors of the 2017 genocidal violence in Myanmar raise the question of what international courts owe to those who participate in their…

Rebel Laws in Conflict: From Law-Taking to Law-Making and Law-Adapting
While legislating is traditionally seen as a role of the State, armed groups impose “rebel law” over ~64 million people in contested regions.

Russia’s Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure Imperil Healthcare Access
Services required for the survival of Ukraine’s civilian population – like healthcare – are affected by attacks on energy infrastructure.