Ezequiel Heffes

Whether they are detainees, hostages, or prisoners of war, they must be protected at all times from public curiosity, humiliation, or exposure. Such practices are prohibited under international humanitarian law as forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Respecting their privacy is not only a matter of humanity, it is a legal obligation.

Detainees, hostages, and prisoners of war must be protected from humiliation, exposure, and public curiosity.

Respecting their privacy is both a moral and legal duty. #IHL

Recruitment or use of children in armed forces and armed groups is a grave violation of their rights in conflict. These violations must stop. Now.

This deadly new normal can change when we advocate for children. Since 2005, more than 200,000 children have been separated from armed forces and armed groups through advocacy efforts by the United Nations. Together, we can do more to protect children in conflict.

Ways to take action to protect children and their rights in conflict

Children should never be recruited or used by armed forces or armed groups.

They have a right to be with their families, friends and communities.

We can do more together to #ProtectChildrenInConflict.

Learn more at unicef.link/4fAtGiz.

ICRC staff digging with tools in a rural area

📍 Colombia | Recovering the human remains of those who have died in armed conflict is never an easy task.

Through our neutral role, we engage in dialogue with parties to the conflict to identify burial sites and, when possible, recover human remains for identification.

Opinion | Children in Gaza Are Starving. Let the U.N. Do Its Job.

“What we need is for UNICEF and its humanitarian partners to be allowed to do our jobs.”

Read UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s op-ed in @nytimes.com on the urgent need to regain safe, sustained aid access to Gaza at scale. ⬇️

Impact of explosive weapons in populated areas on children in Lebanon | UNICEF YouTube video by UNICEF

Impact of explosive weapons in populated areas on children in Lebanon @unicef.org
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW51...

Thrilled to have this piece published in the Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law as part of the 2024 Cox International Law Conference: "The 1949 Geneva Conventions at 75: Examining the Place of Non-State Armed Groups".
scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/cgi/viewcont...

Due to popular demand, we've extended our ILW panel proposal deadline for a second (and final) time. New deadline: May 15, 2025! Send proposals in here: www.ila-americanbranch.org/internationa...

#offre #job | Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights #Offre d’emploi 📢 L’Académie recrute sa ou son prochain·e Directeur·trice exécutif·ve. Placé·e sous l’autorité des coprésident·e·s de l’Académie, il ou elle assurera la responsabilité de l’ensemble de...

www.linkedin.com/posts/geneva...

At least one million children facing emergency levels of food insecurity in Haiti Risk of famine looms as armed violence and economic conditions continue to push families to the brink

At least one million children facing emergency levels of food insecurity in Haiti
www.unicef.org/press-releas...

As the conflict in Sudan enters its third year, the number of children in need of humanitarian assistance has doubled, from 7.8 million at the start of 2023 to more than 15 million today.

“Sudan is the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world today, but it is not getting the world’s attention.” - UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

Conflict is entering its third year in Sudan. Children need it to end. Learn more: unicef.link/42eKerq

Attack in Sumy reportedly kills at least two children and injures 15 Statement attributable to Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine

Attack in Sumy reportedly kills at least two children and injures 15

“These were children and families in the city centre on a busy Sunday preparing for the start of Easter festivities in Ukraine."

www.unicef.org/press-releas...

At least 23 children and 9 aid workers reportedly killed in Al Fasher, Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps in North Darfur, Sudan Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell

"At least 23 children and 9 aid workers reportedly killed in Al Fasher, Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps in North Darfur, Sudan" @unicef.org
www.unicef.org/press-releas...

We have made a starter pack for people working on/ interested in armed groups, civil war scholarship, armed groups and international law and non-international armed conflicts. Please join! go.bsky.app/24KvoKz

On 8 February, several members of the Beyond Compliance Consortium Leadership team submitted written evidence to the International Development Committee’s inquiry on humanitarian access and adherence to international humanitarian law.

Read more 👇

bit.ly/IDC-submission

Just Security is Hiring! - Legal Editor Just Security seeks a full-time Legal Editor with a law degree and strong editing and writing skills to join our small, collegial team.

Just Security is hiring a Legal Editor!

Do you have a law degree and strong writing and editing skills?

Do you want to work on a small, collegial team supporting a mission of elevating the public conversation on law and policy?

Learn more and apply ⬇️

www.justsecurity.org/just-securit...

Geneva Palais briefing note: The impact of the earthquake in Myanmar on children This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Myanmar’s Deputy Representative, Julia Rees – to whom quoted text may be attributed – on the current situation in Myanmar at today’s Palais briefing

“Entire communities have been flattened. Children and families are sleeping in the open, with no homes to return to. I met children who were in shock after witnessing their homes collapse or the death of family members."

Latest update on #MyanmarEarthquake

www.unicef.org/press-releas...

Tens of thousands of families displaced by fighting in DR Congo’s South Kivu as UNICEF scales up humanitarian response Children face killings, recruitment by armed groups, and sexual violence as conflict cripples schools, health services, and access to clean water

More than 850k people—nearly half of them children—displaced by fighting in DR Congo’s South Kivu as UNICEF scales up humanitarian response. Many are living in precarious conditions, taking shelter in schools, churches, or in the open, with limited access to services

www.unicef.org/press-releas...

Reports of grave violations against children in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo tripled in last month – UNICEF

Reports of grave violations against children in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo tripled in the last month.

“We are urgently calling on all parties to the conflict to immediately halt these appalling grave violations against children.”

www.unicef.org/press-releas...

Al Hassan Symposium – A Disappointment for the Victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Timbuktu - Lieber Institute West Point This post focuses on the judgment’s approach to sexual and gender-based violence, including gender persecution.

The #AlHassan case was the first successful attempt to charge #gender persecution at the #ICC. Leila Sadat explores the judgment’s approach to sexual & gender-based crimes, including gender persecution. lieber.westpoint.edu/disappointme...

Armed Groups and International Law - Al Hassan Symposium – International Human Rights Law, Nexus and Non-State Armed Groups: Still a Mystery I. Introduction In June 2024, the Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered the Al Hassan decision, sparking discussions within the international legal scene. Some attention…

🚨Pleased to contribute to the symposium on the #AlHassan decision by the ICC Trial Chamber, co-hosted by @articlesofwar.bsky.social and Armed Groups and International Law
"International Human Rights Law, Nexus and Non-State Armed Groups: Still a Mystery"👇👇👇

Armed Groups and International Law - Al Hassan Symposium – International Human Rights Law, Nexus and Non-State Armed Groups: Still a Mystery I. Introduction In June 2024, the Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered the Al Hassan decision, sparking discussions within the international legal scene. Some attention…

🚨Pleased to contribute to the symposium on the #AlHassan decision by the ICC Trial Chamber, co-hosted by @articlesofwar.bsky.social and Armed Groups and International Law
"International Human Rights Law, Nexus and Non-State Armed Groups: Still a Mystery"👇👇👇

Al Hassan Symposium – Towards the Acceptance of the Aggregated Violence Approach? - Lieber Institute West Point This post explores the scholarly debate addressing classification of armed violence in IHL in light of the judgment in the Al Hassan case.

The #AlHassan judgment may mark a new chapter in the classification of #armedconflicts debate, as the judgment seems to have abandoned the trad. fragmented approach. @chiararedaelli.bsky.social explores class. of armed #violence in #IHL in light of the judgment. lieber.westpoint.edu/towards-acce...

Al Hassan Symposium – (Re) Introduction - Lieber Institute West Point The Al Hassan judgment reflects another important intersection of the LOAC/IHL and international criminal law communities.

On 26 June 2024, the ICC issued its judgment in Prosecutor v. #AlHassan, which offers much for the fields of #ICL and #LOAC/#IHL to consider. @katharinefortin.bsky.social, @ezequielheffes.bsky.social & Sean Watts reintroduce the Al Hassan Symposium. lieber.westpoint.edu/al-hassan-sy...

At least four children – one girl and three boys – were reportedly killed, and three boys injured in Friday’s attack on #ElFasher’s Saudi Hospital, #Sudan

Heartbreakingly, the children were in the emergency ward after being hospitalised by earlier bombings

www.unicef.org/press-releas...

Today, we facilitated the release and transfer of four hostages out of Gaza and to Israeli authorities. We also facilitated the release and transfer of 128 detainees from Israeli places of detention to Gaza and the West Bank in the second phase of an ongoing humanitarian operation. During these releases, our priority is the safe transfer of those involved. This is a responsibility we take extremely seriously.

📍 Israel and the Occupied Territories | We have completed the second phase of release operations, reuniting more families.

For more details, please see our operational update: http://ms.spr.ly/63322UOCdm

At least 242 million students in 85 countries had their schooling disrupted by climate events in 2024, including heatwaves, tropical cyclones, storms, floods, and droughts, exacerbating the learning crisis, UNICEF analysis finds on International Day of Education. www.unicef.org/press-releas...

Excited to be streaming live now: "Harm + Need in Armed Conflict: What to Expect from Law, Policy and Practice in 2025?"

bit.ly/bcc-roundtab...

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER for a roundtable discussion on "Harm + Need in Armed Conflict: What to Expect from Law, Policy and Practice in 2025?"
🗓 21 January, 5.30-7pm GMT, LONDON + online

👇 👇👇
Register at: bit.ly/bcc-roundtable-Jan25

The number of internally displaced children in #Haiti has increased by nearly 50 per cent since September – now equaling approximately one in eight children in the entire country – as a result of ongoing violence caused by armed groups. @unicef.org

www.unicef.org/press-releas...

International Law Weekend 2024 Overview - ABILA International Law Weekend 2024 was held at the New York City Bar Association at 42 West 44th Street, New York […]

International Law Weekend 2024 was held at the New York City Bar Association on October 24, 2024, and Fordham University School of Law on October 25 to 26, 2024. The theme of the Weekend was “Powerless Law or Law for the Powerless?” Read our overview here: www.ila-americanbranch.org/internationa...