Project Abstract

Abstract
This research project aims to evaluate the application of international humanitarian law (IHL) in internal armed conflicts, focusing on Sierra Leone and Liberia as case studies. The study seeks to analyze the extent to which IHL has been implemented and respected in these conflicts, considering the unique challenges and dynamics of internal conflicts. By examining the specific contexts of Sierra Leone and Liberia, the research will assess the effectiveness of IHL in protecting civilians, ensuring adherence to rules of war, and promoting accountability for violations. The research will employ a qualitative research design, utilizing a combination of primary and secondary sources to gather data. Interviews with key stakeholders, including government officials, humanitarian organizations, and local communities, will provide insights into the practical application of IHL in these conflict settings. Additionally, analysis of legal documents, reports, and case studies will offer a comprehensive understanding of the legal frameworks and mechanisms in place. Through comparative analysis of Sierra Leone and Liberia, the research aims to identify common challenges and best practices in the application of IHL in internal armed conflicts. This comparative approach will allow for a nuanced assessment of the factors influencing the implementation of IHL, including political, social, and economic dynamics. By examining the successes and shortcomings in these case studies, the research will provide valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working in the field of humanitarian law and conflict resolution. The findings of this research project are expected to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the effectiveness of IHL in internal armed conflicts. By shedding light on the practical challenges and opportunities for implementing IHL in Sierra Leone and Liberia, the study aims to inform policy recommendations and advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening compliance with international legal standards. Ultimately, the research seeks to promote a better understanding of the role of IHL in protecting civilians and upholding humanitarian principles in the context of internal armed conflicts.

Project Overview

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of Study

Within the modern regime of international law a branch has evolved referred to as law of armed conflict popularly known as International Humanitarian Law (IHL). International Humanitarian Law is found in the Four Geneva Conventions of 1949. Out of the 195 independent sovereign states in the world, virtually all the states have agreed to be bound by them[1][2]. The Conventions have been developed and supplemented by two further agreements. Additional Protocols of 1977

(I) and (II) relating to the protection of victims of armed conflict. The States parties to the 1949 Geneva Conventions have entrusted International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) through the statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, to work for the understanding and dissemination of knowledge of International Humanitarian Law, applicable in armed conflict and to prepare any development thereof.[3] International Humanitarian Law distinguishes two types of armed conflict[4] namely;

• International Armed Conflicts (IAC), meaning fighting or opposition between two or more sovereign states.
• Non-International armed conflicts (NIAC), meaning fighting or opposition between state and governmental forces and non-governmental armed groups.

Non-International armed conflict occur today much more frequently and entail more suffering than International Armed conflict. IHL of Non-International Armed Conflict is codified mainly in Article 3 Common to the Four Geneva Conventions for protection of war victims and the 1977 Additional Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949 and relating to the protection of victims of Non-International Armed Conflict. Others are the 1980 Convention on certain Conventional Weapons, as amended and its Protocols. The 1998 Rome Statute of the

International Criminal Court; the 1997 Ottawa Convention banning anti-personal land mines, the

1993 Chemical Weapons Conventions and the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property and its second Protocol.