Alice Priddy

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda calls for targeted attention to the needs and rights of the most vulnerable populations to ensure a life of dignity and human security for all. In this paper, we argue that persons with disabilities are in a disproportionately vulnerable situation in public health emergencies. By using the example of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), we explain why that is and call for the systematic consideration of the needs and rights of persons with disabilities during the response to the outbreak and during the recovery phase. Otherwise, equity will continue to be merely an aspiration during this COVID-19 emergency - as it will in future health emergencies.

This paper highlights that many of the key international humanitarian law (IHL) provisions that serve to minimize the impact of armed conflict – such as the proportionality assessment and advanced effective warnings – are not being applied in a disability inclusive manner, resulting in persons with disabilities being killed, seriously injured or left behind as families flee armed attacks.

We know sexual violence continues to be perpetrated on a large scale in today’s armed conflicts, we also know the devastating consequences of this for the survivor, their community, and for long-term peace and security. We have the legal framework and there seems to be a political will to address the issue in some States at a national level, as well as at the international level, so why does implementation of law and policy remain an elusive goal and impunity remain the norm? And are there other options for securing prosecutions? This chapter will firstly outline the sex and gender aspects of sexual violence, as well as the international legal framework prohibiting sexual violence before turning to these questions and looking at possible alternative criminal justice mechanisms
that might be worth consideration.

Provides an authoritative overview of key topics related to the application of international law in armed conflict
    Examines different branches of international law, including humanitarian law, human rights law, refugee law, and the law of neutrality
    Features essays by leading scholars and practitioners with an emphasis on understanding key concepts and analysing emerging problems related to terrorism, new types of weapons, international criminal law, and the interaction between humanitarian law and human rights law

Which human rights violations or war crimes allegations result in exclusion from the refugee regime? What human rights protections apply to someone declared an unlawful combatant? Which human rights obligations apply to the actions of armed forces acting abroad? Over the past ten years the content and application of international law in armed conflict has changed dramatically. An authoritative and comprehensive study of the role of international law in armed conflicts, this Oxford Handbook engages in a broad analysis of international humanitarian law, human rights law, refugee law, international criminal law, environmental law, and the law on the use of force. With an international group of expert contributors, this book has a global, multi-disciplinary perspective on the place of law in war.

The Handbook consists of 35 Chapters in seven parts. Part A provides the historical background and sets out some of the contemporary challenges. Part B considers the relevant sources of international law. Part C describes the different legal regimes: land warfare, air war fare, maritime warfare, the law of occupation, the law applicable to peace operations, and the law of neutrality. Part D introduces crucial concepts in international humanitarian law: weapons and the concepts of superfluous injury and unnecessary suffering, the principle of distinction, proportionality, genocide and crimes against humanity, grave breaches and war crimes, and internal armed conflict. Part E looks at fundamental rights: the right to life, the prohibition on torture, the right to fair trial, economic, social and cultural rights, the protection of the environment, the protection of cultural property, the human rights of the members of the armed forces, and the protection of children. Part F covers important issues such as: the use of force, terrorism, unlawful combatants, the application of human rights in times of armed conflict, refugee law, and the issues of gender in times of armed conflict. Part G deals with accountability issues including those related to private security companies and armed groups, as well as questions of state responsibility brought before national courts and issues related to transitional justice.

Readership: Scholars and students of international humanitarian law, human rights law, and war studies; NGO and government legal advisors working in these areas

Private maritime security contractors (PMSCs) are being hired with ever-increasing regularity to guard vessels passing through areas where the risk of being attacked by pirates is particularly high. While this may bring greater security to ships and their crews, it also raises a number of important issues, especially what constitutes lawful use of force by armed guards belonging to PMSCs. It is sometimes a fine line between lawful self-defence and homicide, but it is one that needs to be drawn clearly. This article discusses the applicable standards — human rights as well as other relevant frameworks and standards — and concludes that further work is required to ensure that the rights of all concerned are respected and protected.