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Occasional Paper Series

Nov 2004 - present

The Occasional Papers Series of the Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard University is a periodical publication on current important topical issues in the field of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Each essay focuses on a specific IHL issue, defines and describes the problem at hand, reviews and comments on the relevant aspects of the problem, sets it in the context of existing literature on the topic providing a summary of main positions and arguments, outlines a general argument or approach, and draws conclusions that would inform practical work.

The essays are written in a clear, concise, academic yet accessible style. The statements are authoritative and pithy, so as to inform the work of policy-makers and practitioners. The language and argument of the essays seeks particularly to address these groups.

The aim of the series is that a careful exploration of the facts and issues, and an insightful, forward-looking analysis will help to advance current difficult IHL issues. The purpose is to produce information and analysis that will clarify legal and conceptual issues, encourage solid thinking about international humanitarian law questions, and strengthen practical policy work.

 
Related Publications
OPS Issue 6: Transnational Armed Groups and International Humanitarian Law (Marco Sassoli) - Winter 2006 (PDF)
OPS Issue 5: Cluster Bombs: Is There a Case for New Law? (William Boothby) - Fall 2005 (PDF)
OPS Issue 4: War, Technology, and International Humanitarian Law (Michael Schmitt) - Summer 2005 (PDF)
OPS Issue 3: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (Bertrand Ramcharan) - Spring 2005 (PDF)
OPS Issue 2: Warriors Without Rights? Combatants, Unprivileged Belligerents, and the Struggle Over Legitimacy (Kenneth Watkin) - Winter 2005 (PDF)
OPS Issue 1: Legislation Under Article 43 of the Hague Regulations: Belligerent Occupation and Peacebuilding (Yoram Dinstein) - Fall 2004 (PDF)