Promoting peace in non-international armed conflicts: what role for international humanitarian law?

Bagheri, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9398-8067 (2026) Promoting peace in non-international armed conflicts: what role for international humanitarian law? In: The Global Community Yearbook of International Law and Jurisprudence 2026. The Global Community Yearbook of International Law and Jurisprudence, 24. Oxford University Press. (In Press)

Abstract/Summary

This article provides an overview of how reciprocal respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) may contribute to ending non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) and whether it can promote peace during NIACs. It begins by outlining the specific threshold for the application of IHL, before examining whether IHL can serve a peace-promoting function in NIACs. Given the centrality of the principle of humanity in IHL –particularly in Common Article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions – the article then considers whether, and to what extent, respect for this principle, primarily understood as an obligation to avoid harm, can help end hostilities and reduce IHL violations by parties to the conflict. Drawing on the customary duty to respect and ensure respect for IHL under Common Article 1, the article further explores the significance of this obligation in fostering lasting peace between States and non-state armed groups (NSAGs) involved in NIACs. Finally, it assesses whether IHL provides sufficient protection for civilians during the post-conflict peace implementation process.

Item Type	Book or Report Section
URI	https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/id/eprint/129718
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Arts, Humanities and Social Science > School of Law
Publisher	Oxford University Press
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