To mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the cornerstone of international humanitarian law "The Four Geneva Conventions" Qanun, in collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross, organized a series of four educational sessions led by experts in international humanitarian law. The sessions provided an introduction to the Geneva Conventions, exploring their origins, legal framework, principles, and the roles of relevant international organizations.

In this session, Prof. Deyaa provided an in-depth exploration of the legal foundations of the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law (IHL). He examined the core principles of IHL, such as the distinction between combatants and civilians, and the classification of armed conflicts.

Prof. Deyaa contrasted the military objectives of warfare with the humanitarian imperative to protect human dignity. He explained key legal rules governing the conduct of hostilities, including the principles of proportionality and distinction. The session also addressed the legal differences between international and non-international armed conflicts, the legal status of prisoners of war, and the circumstances under which civilians may lose their protection under IHL.

A key focus of the lecture was the legal consequences of war crimes, emphasizing both individual and state accountability through international and domestic legal mechanisms. With a balance of legal realism and humanitarian concern, the session underscored the ongoing importance of IHL in contemporary armed conflicts.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Geneva Conventions
• International Humanitarian Customary Law
• The Binding Nature of the Geneva Conventions on States and Non-State Actors

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