Search

Search

Programmes and Courses

Course syllabus International Operational Law - Capita Selecta

Swedish name: Utvalda operativjuridiska frågor

Course code:
2OJ006
Valid from semester:
Autumn Term 2022
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
5.0 credits
Progression:
A1N
Grading scale:
Two-grade scale
Main field of study:
International Operational Law
Department:
Department of Political Science and Law
Subject:
International and Operational Law
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott
Decision date:
2020-09-23

Entry requirements

Degree of Master of Laws or Degree of Bachelor of Science in Law with Specialisation in International Law or equivalent plus English B or English 6.

Course content and structure

The course provides an in-depth understanding over select problems in the field of international operational law. Students will

deepen their knowledge of international operational law issues that are intertwined with on-going research projects carried out

by the lecturer.

Instruction is in the form of self-studies, group work, lectures and seminars.

Type of Instruction
Seminars

Lectures

Group Work

Independent Study

Objectives

After having completed the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
  • explain and apply international operational law to selected issues.

Competence and skills
  • critically analyse legal cases and literature, present conclusions, and, together with others, apply relevant international operational law to selected problems.
  • independently and together with others, prepare operationally applicable answers to questions related to the international operational law.

Judgement and approach
  • explain and analyse problems faced by international operational law.
  • correctly apply international operational law, both independently and together with others.

Examination formats

Participation in compulsory seminars 
Scope: 5.0 Grading

Scale: Fail, Pass

Assessment takes place through active and constructive participation in mandatory seminars.

In the event of absence or insufficient participation, the examiner may decide to allow supplementation in order for a passing grade to be achieved in the course.

The supplementation shall be submitted no later than three working days after announcement of the decision on supplementation, unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.

Grading
Grades are set according to a two-grade scale: Pass(P) and Fail (F). Grading criteria are specified by no later than the start of the course.

Restrictions in Number of Examinations
The number of examinationsis not limited.

Transitional provisions

When the course is no longer given or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.

Other regulations

The course cannot be included in a degree with another course whose content fully or partially corresponds to the content of this course.

The course is given within the Swedish Defence University’s Master’s Programme in International Operational Law, and may also be given as a freestanding course.

If a student has a decision from the Swedish Defence University regarding special educational support due to a disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.

On completion of the course, an evaluation will be conducted under the auspices of the course director and will serve as the basis for any changes to the course.

This is an edited version of the syllabus, created to transfer the original to the education database Ladok education planning. For originals, refer to the archive.
Reading list decided date: 2024-09-11

Primary Sources


Treaties


International Human Rights Law


  • Convention Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor (ILO No 182) 1999, 2133 UNTS 161.
  • Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1989, 1577 UNTS 3.
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1966, 999 UNTS 171.
  • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) 1966, 993 UNTS 3.
  • Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC) 2000, 2173 UNTS 222.

International Humanitarian Law


  • Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field 1949 (GCI), 75 UNTS 31.
  • Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of the Armed Forces at Sea 1949 (GCII), 75 UNTS 85.
  • Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War 1949 (GCIV), 75 UNTS 287.
  • Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War 1949 (GCIII), 75 UNTS 135.
  • Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (API) 1977, 1125 UNTS 3.
  • Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (APII) 1977, 1125 UNTS 609.

International Criminal Law


  • Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC Statute) 1998, 2187 UNTS 90.
  • Statute of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL Statute) 2002, 2178 UNTS 138.

United Nations Documents


  • G Machel, Study of the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children, UN Doc A/51/306, 26 August 1996.
  • United Nations General Assembly, Resolution 1386 (XIV): Declaration of the Rights of the Child, UN Doc A/4354, 20 November 1959. 
  • United Nations General Assembly, Resolution 217A (III): Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 10 December 1948.

Cases


International Criminal Court


  • ICC, *Prosecutor v Bosco Ntaganda*, Decision Pursuant to Article 61(7)(a) and (b) of the Rome Statute on the Charges of the Prosecutor against Bosco Ntaganda, Pre-Trial Chamber II, ICC-01/04-02/06, 9 June 2014.
  • ICC, *Prosecutor v Bosco Ntaganda*, Judgment, Trial Chamber VI, ICC-01/4-02/06, 8 July 2019.
  • ICC, *Prosecutor v Bosco Ntaganda*, Sentencing Judgment, Trial Chamber VI, ICC-01/04-02/06, 7 November 2019.
  • ICC, *Prosecutor v Dominic Ongwen*, ICC-02/04-01/15, Judgment on the Appeal of Mr Ongwen against the Decision of Trial Chamber IX of 4 February 2021 Entitled “Trial Judgment”, Appeals Chamber, 15 December 2022.
  • ICC, *Prosecutor v Dominic Ongwen*, ICC-02/04-01/15, Judgment on the Appeal of Mr Dominic Ongwen against the Decision of Trial Chamber IX of 6 May 2021 entitled “Sentence”, Appeals Chamber, 15 December 2022.
  • ICC, *Prosecutor v Dominic Ongwen*, ICC-02/04-01/15, Judgment, Trial Chamber, 4 February 2021.
  • ICC, *Prosecutor v Dominic Ongwen*, ICC-02/04-01/15, Sentencing Judgment, Trial Chamber, 6 May 2021.
  • ICC, *Prosecutor v German Katanga*, Judgment pursuant to Article 74 of the Statute, Trial Chamber II, ICC-01/04-01/07, 7 March 2014.
  • ICC, *Prosecutor v Thomas Lubanga Dyilo*, Appeal Judgment, Appeals Chamber, ICC-01/04-01/06 A 5, 1 December 2014.
  • ICC, *Prosecutor v Thomas Lubanga Dyilo*, Decision on Sentence Pursuant to Article 76 of the Statute, Trial Chamber I, ICC-01/04-01/06, 10 July 2012.
  • ICC, *Prosecutor v Thomas Lubanga Dyilo*, Decision on the Confirmation of Charges, Pre-Trial Chamber I, ICC-01/04-012/06-803, 29 January 2007.
  • ICC, *Prosecutor v Thomas Lubanga Dyilo*, Judgment Pursuant to Article 74 of the Statute, Trial Chamber, ICC-01/04-01/06, 14 March 2012.

Special Court for Sierra Leone


  • Special Court for Sierra Leone, *Prosecutor v Sam Hinga Norman* \- Decision on Preliminary Motion Based on Lack of Jurisdiction (Child Recruitment), SCSL-2004-14-AR72(E), 31 May 2004.

Other Documents


  • Cape Town Principles and Best Practices on the Prevention of Recruitment of Children into the Armed Forces and on Demobilization and Social Reintegration of Child Soldiers in Africa, 1997, [https://nepal.ohchr.org/en/resources/Documents/English/children/Cape\_Town\_Principles(1).pdf](<https://nepal.ohchr.org/en/resources/Documents/English/children/Cape_Town_Principles(1).pdf>). 
  • ICRC, Guiding Principles for the Domestic Implementation of a Comprehensive System of Protection for Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups, Advisory Service on International Humanitarian Law, [https://www.icrc.org/en/document/domestic-implementation-comprehensive-system-protection-children-associated-armed-forces-or](<https://www.icrc.org/en/document/domestic-implementation-comprehensive-system-protection-children-associated-armed-forces-or>).
  • Integrated Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Standards (IDDR Standards), November 2019, [https://www.unddr.org/](<https://www.unddr.org/>).
  • International Committee of the Red Cross, Study on Customary International Humanitarian Law, [https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary-ihl/v1](<https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary-ihl/v1>).
  • International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor, Policy on Children, November 2016, [https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/iccdocs/otp/20161115\_OTP\_ICC\_Policy-on-Children\_Eng.PDF](<https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/iccdocs/otp/20161115_OTP_ICC_Policy-on-Children_Eng.PDF>).
  • International Criminal Court Office of the Prosecutor, Policy on Children, December 2023, [https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/2023-12/2023-policy-children-en-web.pdf](<https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/2023-12/2023-policy-children-en-web.pdf>).
  • International Criminal Court, Elements of Crime, 2013, [https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/Publications/Elements-of-Crimes.pdf](<https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/Publications/Elements-of-Crimes.pdf>).
  • N Melzer, Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities under International Humanitarian Law, ICRC, 2009.
  • UNICEF, The Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups, 2007, [https://www.unicef.org/mali/media/1561/file/ParisPrinciples.pdf](<https://www.unicef.org/mali/media/1561/file/ParisPrinciples.pdf>)

Secondary Sources


Books


  • G Waschefort, \*International Law and Child Soldiers \*(Bloomsbury 2017). – Chapter 6: International Institutional Law and the Prevention of Child Soldiering \*
  • M Denov and M Fennig (eds), \*Research Handbook of Children and Armed Conflict \*(Edward Elgar 2024)
  • M Drumbl, *Re-Imagining Child Soldiers* (OUP 2012).
  • M Wessells, *Child Soldiers: From Violence to Protection* (Harvard University Press 2006).
  • MA Drumbl and JC Barrett (eds), \*Research Handbook on Child Soldiers \*(Edward Elgar 2019)
  • P Singer, *Children at War* (University of California Press 2005).
  • W Nortje and N Quénivet, \*Child Soldiers and the Defence of Duress in International Criminal Law \*(Palgrave 2020).

Chapters in Edited Books


  • A Oddenino, ‘The Enlistment, Conscription and Use of Child Soldiers as War Crimes’ in F Pocar, M Pedrazzi and M Frulli (eds), *War Crimes and the Conduct of Hostilities. Challenges to Adjudication and Investigation* (Edward Elgar 2013) 119.
  • D Johnson, ‘(Un)Recognition of Child Soldiers’ Agency in UN Peacekeeping Practice’ in J Marshall Beier and H Berents (eds), \*Children, Childhoods, and Global Politics \*(Bristol University Press 2023) 58.
  • DC Gacia Gomez, ‘Colombian Child-Soldiers and their Status as Political Actors’ in T Abebe, A Dar and K Wells (eds), \*Routledge Handbook of Childhood Studies and Global Development \*(Routledge 2024).
  • G Waschefort, ‘The International Criminal Court and the Protection of Child Soldiers from Intra-Party Violence’ in M Faix and O Svacek (eds), \*ICC Jurisprudence and the Development of International Humanitarian Law \*(Springer 2024) 161.
  • V Bramwell, ‘The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict: A Normative Agenda and Children’s Agency in Armed Conflict’ in J Marshall Beier and H Berents (eds), \*Children, Childhoods, and Global Politics \*(Bristol University Press 2023) 101.

Journal Articles


  • A Holzscheiter, ‘Power of Discourse or Discourse of the Powerful? The Reconstruction of Global Childhood Norms in the Drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child’ (2011) 10(1) *Journal of Language and Politics* 1\.
  • A James and AL James, ‘Childhood: Toward a Theory of Continuity and Change’ (2001) 575 *Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science* 25\.
  • A McQueen, ‘Falling through the Gap: The Culpability of Child Soldiers under International Criminal Law’ (2019) 94(2) *Notre Dame Law Review Online* 100\.\*
  • A Twum-Danso Imoh, ‘Terminating Childhood: Dissonance and Synergy between Global Children’s Rights Norms and Local Discourses about the Transition from Childhood to Adulthood in Ghana’ (2019) 41(1) *Human Rights Quarterly* 160\.
  • C Breen, ‘When Is a Child not a Child? Child Soldiers in International Law’ (2007) 8(2) *Human Rights Review* 71\.
  • C Molima Bameka, ‘Narrowing the Gap in the Access to Justice for Child Victims in Postconflict Societies: An Analysis Stemming from the Construction of Child Soldiers in International Law and Policy’ (2023) 17(1) \*International Journal of Transitional Justice \*141.
  • C Nyamutata, ‘Young Terrorists or Child Soldiers? ISIS Children, International Law and Victimhood’ (2020) 25(2) \*Journal of Conflict and Security Law \*237.
  • D Rosen, ‘Child Soldiers, International Humanitarian Law, and the Globalization of Childhood’ (2007) 109(2) *American Anthropologist* 296\.\*
  • D Rosen, ‘Who is a Child? The Legal Conundrum of Child Soldiers’ (2009) 25 *Connecticut Journal of International Law* 81\.
  • D Somasundaram, ‘Child Soldiers: Understanding the Context’ (2002) 324 *British Medical Journal* 1268\.
  • Gamaliel Kan, ‘The Prosecution of a Child Victim and a Brutal Warlord: The Competing Narrative of Dominic Ongwen’ (2018) 5 *SOAS Law Journal* 70\.
  • J Kwik, ‘The Road to Ongwen: Consolidating Contradictory Child Soldiering Narratives in International Criminal Law’ (2020) 1 *Asia Pacific Journal of International Humanitarian Law* 135\.
  • J Madubuike-Ekwe, ‘The International Legal Standards Adopted to Stop the Participation of Children in Armed Conflicts’ (2005) 11 *Annual Survey of International and Comparative Law* 29\.
  • J Mcknight, ‘Child Soldiers in Africa: A Global Approach to Human Rights Protection, Enforcement and Post-Conflict Reconstruction’ (2010) 18 *African Journal of International and Comparative Law* 113\.
  • K MacFarlane, ‘Protection Gaps: Child Soldier Rehabilitation and Militarized Governance in Sri Lanka’ (2004) 100(3) \*International Affairs \*1131.
  • LS Alfredson, ‘Child Soldiers as Contemporary Slaves: A Human Rights Approach’ (2023) 22(3) \*Journal of Human Rights \*307.
  • M Dutli, ‘Captured Child Combatants’ (1990) 278 *International Review of the Red Cross* 421\.
  • M Freeman, ‘The Sociology of Childhood and Children’s Rights’ (1998) 6 *International Journal of Children’s Rights* 433\.
  • MS Cataleta,* *‘The Prohibition of Prosecution of Child Soldiers: A Desirable Emerging Rule of Customary International Law’ (2023) 21(4) *Chinese Journal of International Law *805\. \*
  • N Quenivet, ‘Does and Should International Law Prohibit the Prosecution of Children for War Crimes?’ (2017) 28(2) *European Journal of International Law *433\.
  • NM Greenfield, ‘Prosecute of Protect? International Criminal Responsibility and the Recruitment of ISIS Brides’ (2021) 54 *Cornell International Law Journal *293\.
  • R Haer, ‘Children and Armed Conflict: Looking at the Future and Learning from the Past’ (2019) 40(1) *Third World Quarterly* 74\. \*
  • RN Souris, ‘What Is so Wrong with Using Child Soldiers?’ (2022) 46(1) *International Journal of Human Rights* 74\.
  • S Molloy, ‘Child Soldiers and Peace Agreements’ (2024) 73(1) *International and Comparative Law Quarterly *103\.
  • W Nortje, ‘The Sexual Abuse of African Boy Soldiers by Male and Female Offenders: The Need for an International Criminal Law Response’ (2023) 23(4) *International Criminal Law Review *603\.
  • Y Arai-Takahashi, ‘War Crimes Relating to Child Soldiers and other Children that Are Otherwise Associate with Armed Groups in Situations of Non-International Armed Conflict. An Incremental Step Toward a Coherent Legal Framework?’ (2019) 60 *Questions of International Law, Zoom-in* 25\.\*