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.