International Institute of Humanitarian Law

Post-graduate

Thanks to the successful collaboration with universities and research centres, since some years now the Institute is involved in two programmes dedicated to graduate and post-graduate students: the Diploma on International Humanitarian Law , jointly organised since 2009 with the Institut de la Paix et du Développement (IDPD)  of the  Université Côte d’Azur of Nice (France) and the International Master in Cultural Property Protection in Crisis Response , in collaboration with the Interdepartmental University School for Strategic Sciences (SUISS) of the University of Turin (Italy), the Italian Army Education and Training Command and School of Applied Military Studies, the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Property, the Conservation and Restoration Centre “La Venaria Reale” and a network of national and international institutions and agencies including UNESCO, ICCROM, ICOM.

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Top 5 Humanitarian Action PhDs at Highly-Ranked Universities

Humanitarianism and humanitarian action are topics of great interest not only for practitioners working in crises-affected zones but also for an increasing number of academics and researchers. Considering that academic research often transcends into policy and law-making, more and more universities are offering Ph.D. programs and specializations in humanitarian studies. These programs are aimed at hiring qualified candidates who will produce novel insights, critics and knowledge of the past and current humanitarian crises and interventions. While some programs are offered specifically in the field of humanitarian studies, others appear as research clusters and tracks within broader sciences, most notably international relations.

Here are the top five such Ph.D. programs in humanitarian aid and action offered by highly-ranked universities in Europe and North America.

Ph.D. in International Relations with Humanitarian Studies specialization

Location: the fletcher school, tufts university, the united states of america.

Located at Tufts University, the world-famous Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy is a graduate school that explores the study and practice of international relations to the highest possible level. Humanitarian aid and humanitarianism are one of the many sub-topics of international relations that world-class academics and their students research in this institution. The Ph.D. program in International Relations at the Fletcher is one of the most well-known international relations programs in the world, hiring extremely qualified candidates to produce top-notch research. Importantly, this program is designed not only to answer to some of the most burning questions in academia but also to respond to concrete policy issues.

phd international humanitarian law

Ph.D. students at the Fletcher school choose their primary field of study among several broadly defined themes such as comparative politics, development economics, gender analysis in international studies, human security, or international security studies. In order to shape their degree towards humanitarian aid and action, candidates are invited to choose humanitarian studies as their secondary field of study. A number of professors working at the Fletcher School specialize in this research cluster and can provide appropriate Ph.D. supervision to candidates who come forward with original dissertation topics. Within this research cluster, students are particularly encouraged to pursue a critique of the humanitarian aid system and enhance our knowledge of the nature of humanitarian crises.

The Fletcher School admits only highly-qualified candidates to their Ph.D. program. In particular, candidates are expected to hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field. In addition, it is also desirable that the candidate has had some practical experience in the field. To apply, prospective candidates have to submit their academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, resume, personal statement, supplemental essays, GRE and English language test score as well as their Master’s thesis. Furthermore, all candidates are also asked to submit a 1,500-word long Ph.D. dissertation proposal and to successfully contact a prospective supervisor who works at the school prior to the submission of their application.

All candidates are free to submit a scholarship application form to compete to any stipend funding available. Further information about research and teaching assistantships and awards is available on the website .

Ph.D. Studies with a focus on Humanitarian Law and Action

Location: the graduate institute of international and development studies, geneva, switzerland.

The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva in one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the field of humanitarian law and human rights law. At this institute, qualified students from all over the world get trained to become world-class humanitarian academics and practitioners. Formally, Ph.D. students need to be admitted to a particular disciplinary specialization such as international law, international economics, international relations/political science, international history, anthropology and sociology, or development economics, but can, of course, focus on humanitarian studies in their doctoral research.

At a doctoral level, students can engage in research on humanitarian aid and action by enrolling in the Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and Action Research Cluster offered by the institute. This research track is followed by a great number of professors who also serve as Ph.D. candidates’ supervisors. Some of them also lead important grand-scale projects relating to humanitarian aid with the help of external funding. That said, all Ph.D. students at the academy are given an excellent opportunity to cooperate with some of the leading academics in the field and make their own original contribution to science over the four-year-long course of the study. The Graduate Institute is furthermore interested in educating both academic experts and professionals working for international and national organizations and local administrations, so they gladly accept applications from a variety of profiles.

All applications for Ph.D. studies are submitted online. In addition to completing the online application form, prospective candidates are obliged to provide two academic references and supporting documents, including a proof of a master’s degree in social sciences. Other supporting documents include a motivation letter, resume, academic transcripts and certificates and, importantly, a copy of the candidate’s master dissertation as well as a Ph.D. dissertation proposal. All documents can be submitted in either English or French.

Most Ph.D. students at the Graduate Institute are fully funded by their programs through research assistantships, scholarships, or fellowships. More information about fees and financial aid opportunities is available on the official website .

Ph.D. in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response

Location: humanitarian and conflict response institute, the university of manchester, the united kingdom.

The Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute at the University of Manchester offers postgraduate research students a unique opportunity to conduct in-depth analyses of current and past humanitarian crises in a prestigious academic environment. The Institute does not restrict the study of humanitarianism and humanitarian crises to any particular discipline but rather opens doors for novel, interdisciplinary projects. The research conducted at the Institute is broadly grouped in five different research themes: critical peace and conflict studies, cultures of humanitarianism, disaster studies and global resilience, health and medicine in conflict and humanitarianism, and histories of humanitarianism. Within each research cluster, there is a group of Ph.D. researchers who work on different projects and publications, advancing our knowledge of the matter.

At the Institute, there is a number of experienced academics conducting groundbreaking research on a variety of topics relating to humanitarian aid and action. Interested candidates are encouraged to examine these professors’ areas of interest and reach out to a potential supervisor prior to applying for the Ph.D. Some of the relevant topics that could be narrowed down and turned into research proposals include global health, the history of humanitarian ideas, peace-building, and gender in humanitarianism.

Prospective candidates are required to apply online via the University’s online portal. To do so, they should prepare two academic references, academic transcripts and degree certificates, a proof of English language fluency, and the outline of the project they are proposing. Selected candidates to whom the department might make an offer will be invited for an interview with two academics.

The University of Manchester offers a number of funding opportunities to incoming Ph.D. students. To find out more about funding your Ph.D. humanitarian studies, click here .

International Doctoral Program in Global Health, Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Medicine

Location: research center in emergency and disaster medicine, universita del piemonte orientale, italy.

For those who want to get engaged with humanitarian assistance through the field of medicine and health sciences, the international doctoral program offered by the Research Center in Emergency and Disaster Medicine (CRIMEDIM) of the University del Piemonte Orientale is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This interdisciplinary program, ran jointly with the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels, trains researchers in the fields of global health, humanitarian aid and disaster medicine and aims at promoting top-notch scientific work in these areas all around the world.

By inviting researchers from around the globe who work in different fields of study, the institution aspires to help make international cooperation and exchange of knowledge of humanitarian aid and global health stronger and create viable solutions for some of humanity’s most burning issues.

Applications for this highly competitive program are typically open in June. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their academic record, research experience (preferably international), and interest in the study topics. In addition to their academic records and resumes, candidates should also submit a cover letter and a personal statement. In addition, to become a part of the program, candidates must submit a proposal relating to one of the three broad topics, namely global health, humanitarian aid or disaster medicine. Whatever the topic is, candidates should keep humanitarian contexts in focus. Some of the narrower topics that could be researched include humanitarianism, emergency public health, and health and medicine in humanitarian crises. After the initial evaluation of the application, selected candidates will be invited for an interview.

Once accepted, Ph.D. students are obliged to complete an induction course during the first year of their studies. This course consists of an introductory block which takes place in Italy and a research skill development block held in Belgium. Some of the mandatory courses include Research Methodology and Epidemiology, Statistics, and Scientific English. After the completion of these study sessions, Ph.D. students dedicate the rest of their time to their doctoral dissertations.

Structured Doctoral Program in Humanitarian Studies

Location: centre for humanitarian action, university college dublin, ireland.

The Centre for Humanitarian Action at the University College Dublin is one of the most important institutions that aspire to foster innovative approaches and cooperation in the field of humanitarian aid and action. The structured doctoral program in Humanitarian Studies invites researchers from a variety of relevant disciplines to join the research center and contribute to knowledge creation in these still largely under-researched fields. The overarching mission is educating new generations of humanitarians who will make significant improvements in humanitarian aid systems both as practitioners and academics. Staff members of the research center, together with Ph.D. candidates, work together on a series of funded projects relating to humanitarian studies, including preparedness and resilience to address urban vulnerability and the impact of NGO intervention on the18 level of poverty in Ethiopia.

The application process is simplified and it consists of sending a draft proposal and a resume via email to the relevant authority. Interested candidates are also requested to elaborate on their funding status at the time of their application while a number of funding opportunities are available at the University for postgraduate research studies. In general, prospective Ph.D. students at the University College Dublin are asked to also prepare a personal statement and forward their academic transcripts and references as a part of the admissions process. At this time, the structured Ph.D. at University College Dublin usually takes 4 years to complete with a combination of taught courses and original research and dissertation writing spread throughout the course. More information is available here .

Considering that this a rather new research program still at a developing stage, it is advisable to contact one of the researchers working on different projects within the center in order to get more information about the structure of this concrete Ph.D.

phd international humanitarian law

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PhD Humanitarianism and Conflict Response / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

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  • Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and 
  • Master's degree in a relevant subject – with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in your dissertation and no mark below 55% (or overseas equivalent) 
  • Any strong relevant professional experience will be considered on a case by case basis.

Full entry requirements

Apply online  

Please ensure you include all  required supporting documents  at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered. 

Application Deadlines 

For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by  12 January 2024. 

If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self–funding, you must submit your application before the below deadlines to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these dates have passed. 

  • For September 2024 entry:  30 June 2024 
  • For January 2025 entry:  30 September 2024 

Programme options

Programme description.

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Our PhD in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response is inspired by the need to conduct rigorous, in-depth research and analysis on the impact and outcomes of contemporary and historical crises.

It is driven by a desire to inform and support policy and practice, to optimise joint working between partner organisations, and to foster increased understanding and debate within the field of humanitarianism and global health.

The PhD is a three-year course of study (or six years of part-time study) in which you prepare a thesis under the guidance of two supervisors with specialist expertise.

Your progress is monitored at regular meetings of your research panel (two supervisors plus a reviewer who is independent of the supervisory team), which also provides guidance on research training and career development.

We welcome applications from students wishing to study in the interdisciplinary research areas of global health, disaster response and humanitarian aid.

As a postgraduate researcher in HCRI, you will join an active and accessible research community. Our interests are varied in terms of disciplines, geographies, time periods, and topics.

We also encourage researchers to connect with other departments across the University.

Integrated with our research goals, the HCRI PhD programme offers a flexible approach to the provision of teaching, to identify and challenge current assumptions about issues such as aid, conflict response and governance.

It aims to prepare the next generation of crisis response researchers and practitioners, while also seeking to understand the experiences of people affected by crises, to engage with their perspectives and help make their voices heard.

This PhD therefore reflects the need for structured forms of professional development and reflective thinking that can function effectively across multiple academic and non-academic contexts. 

It will introduce students to a range of dynamic and challenging concepts and methods with which to reflect critically and constructively on their professional context and experience.

The aim of the programme is to produce students who are critical, independent researchers, and you are from the outset encouraged to disseminate your work at seminars and conferences and by publishing in high-quality forums.

The programme culminates in the submission of an 80,000-word dissertation (or alternative format) that makes an original contribution to knowledge.

Find out what it's like to study at Manchester by visiting us on one of our  open days.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): £7,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,500
  • PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): £3,500

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Please note for the majority of projects where experimentation requires further resource: higher fee bands (where quoted) will be charged rather than the base rate for supervision, administration and computational costs. The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive and, therefore, you will not be required to pay any additional bench fees or administration costs.

All fees for entry will be subject to yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of the course for UK/EU students (fees are typically fixed for International students, for the course duration at the year of entry). For general fees information please visit: postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your project.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.

To apply University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The deadline for most internal competitions, including AHRC NWCDTP and School of Arts, Languages and Cultures studentships is 12 January 2024. 

All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting the funding application form and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.  

For more information about funding, visit our funding page to browse for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

  • ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) PhD Studentships 2024 Entry
  • AHRC North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) PhD Studentships 2024 Entry
  • School of Arts, Languages and Cultures PhD Studentships 2024 Entry
  • China Scholarship Council - The University of Manchester (CSC-UoM) Joint Scholarship Programme 2024 Entry
  • PhD Studentships in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response 2024 Entry
  • Trudeau Doctoral Scholarships 2024 Entry
  • Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (High Income Countries)
  • Humanities Doctoral Academy Humanitarian Scholarship 2024 Entry
  • Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States)
  • School of Arts, Languages and Cultures New Generation PhD Studentships
  • President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Awards 2024 Entry

Contact details

See: About us

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

  • Humanitarianism and Conflict Response
  • Development Policy and Management

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The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

phd international humanitarian law

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LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights: An Overview

This one-year full-time postgraduate degree (60 ECTS) is one of the most innovative and intellectually challenging programmes in international humanitarian law and human rights in armed conflict offered today. It focuses primarily on all rules applicable to armed conflicts, and their interaction and promotes both academic excellence and independent critical thinking.

Yemen, Aden, Kreiter. A civil rescue service volunteer takes a break from pulling out trapped people and dead bodies from beneath the rubble.

This one-year postgraduate degree course provides advanced, comprehensive and practical training in international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL) in armed conflict and international criminal law, as well as the interplay between them.

Students gain access to a world-renowned faculty , benefit from direct connections with leading actors in the field like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) , and share ideas with other participants from different legal backgrounds and perspectives.

The programme allows students to tailor their studies according to their particular interests. Core courses provide a firm grounding in public international law, IHL, IHRL in armed conflict, international refugee law and international criminal law.

Optional courses allow students to deepen their expertise in a particular issue such as counter-terrorism, armed non-state actors, the rules governing the conduct of hostilities, the Islamic law of armed conflict or the work of international courts and tribunals.

Our LLM is also profoundly committed to developing the transferable skills necessary to succeed in the professional world and take up responsibilities in the humanitarian and human rights fields. To this end, internships with leading actors and participation in moot courts provide a solid exposure to practical work and allow students to expand their network.

LLM students have the opportunity to be taught by leading academics in the fields of international humanitarian law and human rights.

Our LLM students have the opportunity to acquire first-hand professional experience via internships with Geneva-based humanitarian and human rights actors

Student Life

Our LLM is organized around intimate learning communities enabling close interaction between students and professors.

Our objective is to produce graduates who will be leaders in the humanitarian, human rights and transitional justice fields.

Intense, comprehensive, rich and rewarding: the Geneva Academy’s LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights is the foundation of all of my subsequent professional opportunities and, even several years on, the substance continues to inform my work on a daily basis. David Tuck Legal Adviser to the Operations for the Near and Middle East at the International Committee of the Red Cross

phd international humanitarian law

Human Rights Careers

6 Fully-Funded PhD Programs in Human Rights

Many universities are aware that qualified doctoral students cannot afford to study and conduct their own research for three or four years without receiving any financial support. For this reason, more and more universities have created fully funded opportunities for a Ph.D. study, either allocating their own funding or collaborating with an external partner such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), for example. The scholarships awarded typically cover not only the student’s tuition costs but also provide the student with a stipend to help towards their living costs. Here are six fully-funded Ph.D. programs in Human Rights offered each year by European universities.

University of Essex, the United Kingdom – Ph.D. in Human Rights

The University of Essex is one of the most prestigious institutions in the UK when it comes to teaching Human Rights. Its Human Rights Centre has over 80 faculty members who explore human rights from a variety of academic disciplines, including Law, Philosophy, and Sociology.

The Centre has established thirty research clusters, such as Armed conflict, Transitional justice, and Trafficking and human rights. Prospective candidates are encouraged to write a research proposal that broadly falls under one of these categories to ensure that they can have appropriate supervision at Essex.

As a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Essex, students will have many opportunities to learn, network, and share their work. For example, the University is a part of the Human Rights Ph.D. Triangle platform where Ph.D. candidates from the University of Cambridge, the London School of Economics and the Essex Human Rights Centre present and discuss their research.

Ph.D. studies in Human Rights at Essex can be fully funded through studentships offered by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Consortium of Arts and Humanities South-East England (CHASE).  These studentships cover the cost of tuition and include a living costs stipend.  CHASE Doctoral Studentships are currently available only to home and EU students. To apply, students should first hold an offer from the University to conduct their Ph.D. study. Next, candidates have to submit an outline of their research proposal, two references, as well as a summary of their education, training, and professional experience. Selected candidates are invited for an interview with their school or department.

Occasionally, the Human Rights Centre advertises theme-specific Ph.D. projects which are funded by doctoral studentships and open for both domestic and international candidates. To stay updated, visit this webpage .

University of Sussex, the United Kingdom – Ph.D. in Human Rights

The Human Rights Ph.D. program at the University of Sussex is taught by faculty members from several different departments including Law, Anthropology, and Philosophy. Academic supervisors and Ph.D. candidates work together to explore the relationships and roles of humans in processes such as poverty, violence, identity, and globalization. Unlike most other doctoral programs, this course takes four years to complete. During their studies, Ph.D. candidates are invited to join one of the many research centers or projects, and actively participate in workshops and seminars across departments.

To be eligible, candidates must hold a Master’s degree in a subject which is of relevance to their research interests. Furthermore, all candidates should provide a proposal for a research project they wish to conduct at Sussex and suggest faculty members who could be their potential supervisors. The proposal should be up to five pages long and has to clearly explain primary research questions and the ambition of the project.

Human Rights Ph.D. students at the University of Sussex can fund their doctoral students via University or external funding. When it comes to the University funding, the prestigious Chancellor’s International Research Scholarship is given to eleven Ph.D. students across faculties. Only overseas students can apply for this fully-funded scholarship. Furthermore, home and EU students are also eligible for an ESRC scholarship which would cover their tuition costs and provide them with a living stipend.

Lund University, Sweden – Doctoral Studies in Human Rights Studies

Lund University’s doctoral program in Human Rights is the only such program in Sweden. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach and incorporates the study of History, Law, Philosophy and Political Science into its unique examination of Human Rights. The key objective of the program is to better understand the various political and legal contexts human rights ideas develop and are applied in. Students and faculty members do research on a variety of topics, including citizenship and nationality, women’s rights, and state and non-state agency.

The program lasts for four years and students need to fulfill 240 academic credits during this period. This means that, besides writing their dissertation, students also have to attend several compulsory and elective courses such as Human Rights as a Research Area and Human Rights as a Legal Phenomenon.

The eligibility requirements for admission include having a master’s or advanced degree. Prospective candidates should have completed at least two years of study in a field that is relevant to Human Rights and has given the student a solid background to conduct their planned research. Furthermore, candidates are also asked to have previously written a master’s thesis, worth at least 15 academic credits, on a human rights-related topic.

The University periodically advertises doctoral student vacancies in Human Rights, typically in January or February. The post will also contain instructions on applying and will list any specific eligibility criteria. All successful candidates are fully funded by the University.

Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy – Ph.D. in Human Rights and Global Politics: Legal, Philosophical and Economic Challenges

Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa runs an international, interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Human Rights and Global Politics, with a focus on legal, philosophical and economic challenges. The program lasts for three years and is entirely administered in English. The faculty and Ph.D. candidates adopt a strong sense of interdisciplinarity in research and explore intersections among the key research areas. The focus is on four different research areas – namely, Agriculture, food and agri-environmental law, Public international law, Political economy, and Political philosophy, and how they can be intertwined.

Ph.D. students attending this program take mandatory courses in addition to conducting research activities. More specifically, all students follow an issue-related course based on the research area they are writing their thesis in. Furthermore, students have an opportunity to spend a minimum of six months abroad doing research.

Prospective students must submit a research proposal which outlines a project that concerns at least two research areas. According to their proposed project, successful candidates will be assigned a supervisor with whom they are expected to meet on a regular basis.

The School publishes calls for applications once a year and usually accepts applications until late spring. All admitted students are entitled to a fully-funded place in the program, and one or more places are typically reserved for students from outside the European Union. To stay updated with the calls for admission, visit the program’s website .

Ph.D. in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance – Multiple Universities

Four universities in Europe – the University of Padova in Italy, the University of Zagreb in Croatia, Panteion University in Greece and the University of Nicosia in Cyprus – together with Western Sydney University in Australia administer a unique, joint Ph.D. program in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance. The program, which lasts for three years, incorporates legal, political, economic and philosophical approaches to analyzing Human Rights in a variety of geographical areas. The fundamental elements of the current multi-level governance system are in focus, therefore, international and regional human rights systems are continuously examined over the course of this program.

As a part of the curriculum, admitted students will have to do research, an internship and/or take courses at one or more partner universities, spending at least one semester away from their home university. The program is held in English across all institutions. Faculty members interested in supervising Ph.D. students offer a list of topics prospective students are invited to explore and propose a research project on. So far, these have included exploring issues relating to globalization, social justice, the external relations of the EU, and cultural pluralism.

To apply, students must demonstrate a proof of a Master’s degree and submit their academic transcripts. Furthermore, the Admissions Committee will be examining candidates’ CVs, proof of English language proficiency and, most importantly, their proposed research projects. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview.

Each year, some of these universities open several Ph.D. vacancies with one or more fully-funded scholarships. More information about the on-going applications can be found on the website of the administering institution, which in this case is the University of Padova.

Centre for Applied Human Rights, University of York, the United Kingdom – Ph.D. in Human Rights

The Centre for Applied Human Rights at the University of York administers an interdisciplinary doctoral program in Human Rights which has gathered qualified students from all over the world. The Centre is broadly interested in admitting candidates who work on topics such as human rights defenders, refugee law and policy, transitional justice, and development.

The program is run jointly by the Department of Politics and the York Law School, therefore, students could potentially seek inter-departmental supervision. Furthermore, Ph.D. students can also join one of the inter-departmental research groups like Development and Conflict Working Group. They actively contribute to fostering the research environment at the Centre by organizing and attending lectures, workshops, and conferences, as well as writing for blogs and journals.

In the first year of their doctoral study, students are trained on different research methods and have the possibility to audit or enroll any postgraduate courses. The rest of the student’s time spent at the University of York is dedicated to completing the doctoral dissertation.

To apply, all candidates must submit an online application in which they will be asked to choose between Ph.D. in Politics and Ph.D. in Law, depending on their preferences and qualifications. The application process also requires candidates to put forward a doctoral dissertation proposal.

Admitted students have a number of funding opportunities. These include funding coming directly from the University as well as ESRC scholarships awarded to home and EU students. In addition, the University of York is a part of the White Rose College of the Arts and Humanities (WRoCAH) doctoral training partnership with the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield, through which fully-funded AHRC studentships are allocated. More information about funding is available here.

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Human Rights Careers (HRC) provides information about online courses, jobs, paid internships, masters degrees, scholarships and other opportunities in the human rights sector and related areas.

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International Humanitarian Law in Theory and Practice

The Summer School on International Humanitarian Law is designed by the Grotius Centre Kalshoven-Gieskes Forum on International Humanitarian Law. Registration is now open!

Course information

This unique programme gives a broad overview of the laws of armed conflict, and offers a range of opportunities to test the acquisition of knowledge through interactive exercises. The course covers, amongst others, the classification of conflicts, protection of the civilian population, combatants and prisoners of war, the rules governing the conduct of hostilities, and the law of non-international armed conflict. 

Why this Summer School?

The International Humanitarian Law in Theory and Practice Summer School offers a unique opportunity to learn from well-known and influential academics and leading practitioners from Leiden University, The Netherlands Defence Academy and the University of Amsterdam. You will gain first-hand knowledge on the rules and laws of armed conflict in the heart of The Hague, the International City of Peace and Justice. The course also offers plenty of opportunities to network with fellow students and practitioners from all over the world. And last but not least, The Hague is a wonderful place to stay!

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Target audience

This Summer School is opened to students and professionals who would like to acquire general knowledge of International Humanitarian Law. 

Class size 

To ensure active participation and exchange with teaching staff and fellow participants, a maximum of 60 participants will be admitted to this course.

Click here for more practical information of this course.

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PhD Opportunities for Humanitarians

Are you a humanitarian practitioner with an idea for a research project? Are you interested in becoming a ‘pracademic’? Are you keen to build your research skills to contribute to change in the global aid system?

Deakin University is seeking individuals that are passionate about pursuing humanitarian-related topics in a fully-funded and well-supported PhD program.

Deakin is home to Faculties of Arts and Education, Business and Law, Health, and Science, Engineering and Built Environment, as well as the Institute for Frontier Materials, Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation, and the Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute. The Faculty of Arts and Education includes the   Centre for Humanitarian Leadership   and the   Development-Humanitarian Research Group .

The Centre for Humanitarian Leadership is an innovative collaboration between Deakin University and Save the Children that combines good humanitarian practice with academic rigour. The Centre sits within the Faculty of Arts and Education at Deakin University.

We engage in collaborative research that informs, impacts, and influences real-world leadership in humanitarian contexts. Our research agenda looks beyond the academic to how communities, organisations and individuals are meeting the challenge of leadership in the humanitarian system and a changing world.

We are looking for prospective PhD or Masters of Research candidates with backgrounds in the areas of humanitarian and/or development aid. Applications are being accepted across faculties and disciplines.

We encourage applications on topics that deal with humanitarian aid and response. Successful candidates will receive   scholarships of $28,092 p.a. for three years   (or two years for Masters). Learn more about scholarships at Deakin   here .

How to apply

To apply, please identify and contact a prospective Deakin supervisor as soon as possible to discuss your project. Information on finding a supervisor is available   here .

Applications for 2020 are also being accepted on a rolling basis from now until 30 September.   Successful applicants must commence their studies on or before 30 November 2020.  

Please note

Competitive applicants typically require an Honours degree with a first-class result, or equivalent (e.g minor thesis). Information about the application process is here .

Applicants must be Australian citizens, permanent residents or international students currently in Australia  pursuing full-time HDR study.

Get the latest in leadership

Stay across the latest humanitarian action, research, events, and education updates from the Centre and our global partners.

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Mercy of the Dragon: China’s Engagement with International Humanitarian Law

How does China engage with international humanitarian law? What are the impacts and implications of that engagement on this body of law? Zhuo Liang shows in his PhD research that Chinese approaches to IHL have distinctive features, which, for better or worse, impact IHL in various respects.

How did you come to choose your research topic?

International humanitarian law (IHL) is a branch of international law governing the conduct of armed conflict, with a humble humanitarian goal of alleviating suffering resulting from armed violence. My idea to examine the interaction between IHL and China came to my mind when I was doing an internship with the ICRC in 2017. One of my tasks throughout the internship was to collect and analyse China’s practice of IHL. I got the initial impression that Chinese authorities understand some IHL issues in a manner quite different from the mainstream approach. I became curious about the reasons for and implications of such disparities. It was this experience that prompted me to draft a preliminary research proposal on the present topic. After joining the Institute, I began to discuss my research plan with my supervisor, Professor Paola Gaeta, who was incredibly encouraging and supportive. Benefiting from her insightful feedback, I eventually got a clear idea of how I should proceed.

Can you describe your thesis questions and the methodology you use to approach those questions?

My thesis focuses on three research questions. I start by describing Chinese approaches to IHL. I pinned down several factors that have shaped them into a distinctive system. Having explored Chinese approaches, I then look into the positive and negative impacts and implications they have on various fields of IHL. This is the centrepiece of my thesis. There I select five issues for discussion: the relationship between IHL and the law governing the use of force, the principle of distinction, the use of weapons, the protection of prisoners of war and humanitarian assistance. Finally, I attempt to make certain recommendations in response to the impacts and implications of Chinese approaches.  To decipher Chinese approaches to IHL, interdisciplinary analysis is the order of the day, because this first research question cannot be properly investigated without integrating knowledge and modes of thinking from non-legal disciplines, including philosophy, history, international relations and military strategy. In contrast, to answer the second research question – the impacts and implications of Chinese approaches –, the traditional legal analysis and the critical method take over, for that part primarily covers critical assessments of the understanding, interpretation and application of existing norms and the understanding and making of future norms.

What are your major findings?

I find that China has demonstrated a clear pattern of behaviour when engaging with IHL. As a departure point, China has subscribed to the principles and spirit of IHL, displaying overall reverence for and open-mindedness towards this body of law. China has also developed its own doctrine of lawfare, whose core is to use IHL as a tool to fulfil certain political and military goals. It has also embraced a sovereignty-centric approach to IHL, resisting the expansion of the scope of the law regulating civil war and downplaying the role of third-party institutions and mechanisms. Of course, partially out of reputational concerns, China has refrained from challenging widely agreed treaty norms of IHL, supported the development of customary IHL, and tried to improve its compliance record.

I show at length that Chinese approaches might have important impacts and implications on certain IHL issues. China could demolish the conceptual wall between IHL and the law governing the use of force, further blur the line between military and non-military objectives, substantially shape the process of outlawing certain controversial weapons, impinge upon the protection standard of the law of prisoners of war, and alter the development of the norms governing State consent to humanitarian assistance. By way of illustration, China has expressed its general understanding about the role IHL can play in regulating “killer robots” on the battlefield: the use of such weapons may not be compatible with some key IHL norms, including the principle of distinction, the principle of proportionality and the Marten Clause. There is no doubt that the legal regulation of “killer robots” is a question that is being heatedly debated among scholars and practitioners. As one of the main stakeholders, China’s attitudes are doomed to affect the shaping of relevant legal norms in this field.

To strengthen the IHL system in view of China’s engagement, I believe that it is always necessary for China and the West to better understand each other’s concerns behind their respective positions. Also, concrete measures for deeply engaging China in the development of IHL should be undertaken. The ICRC, whose regional headquarters are functioning in Beijing, may play a bigger role in this regard. Lastly, concerning key IHL norms in particular, consensus among members of international society on their interpretations should be reached as soon as possible.

What could be the academic and the policy implications of your thesis?

My thesis is expected to make contributions to IHL as a discipline and as a body of law. From the disciplinary angle, this thesis enriches the corpus of IHL. It covers a huge research gap by dealing with an as-yet undeveloped research topic in a comprehensive fashion. This thesis also supplements academia with fresh research materials in Chinese, which could broaden the horizon and stimulate unconventional thinking among scholars. Additionally, by taking China as an example, I also aim to bring to light the cultural bias in IHL under the myth of universality.

From the normative perspective, this thesis helps tackle certain challenges that IHL faces. IHL has faced multiple challenges nowadays, posed by States and non-State actors alike. Studying China’s engagement with this legal regime can be thought-provoking. Concerning Chinese approaches that are more humane or progressive than existing IHL norms or interpretations, this study may directly provide ideas on how to further reform corresponding norms and strengthen their effectiveness; as to Chinese positions that are unreasonable or anachronistic, this study would demonstrate the urgent needs for working out proper solutions to those challenges.

The practical significance of this thesis takes root in China’s growing weight in the global order. All the major military powers of the world have the potential to heavily impact the destiny of IHL. China is no exception. Nowadays, China has commenced an unprecedented campaign of becoming a “norm entrepreneur” in the international community. Thus, studying China’s engagement with IHL can help tackle the threats to the dignity and well-being of victims in the cauldron of war. Also, for decision-makers in IHL-related institutions such as the UN, the ICRC and international tribunals, this thesis may offer insights on how to further engage China in humanitarian affairs, and adjust their policies and strategies accordingly.

What are you doing now?

I have recently joined a Chinese law school as a lecturer, so I will continue researching and lecturing in public international law.

Zhuo Liang defended his PhD thesis in International Law in September 2022. Professor Andrew Clapham presided the committee, which included Professor Paola Gaeta , Thesis Supervisor, and Professor Bing Bing Jia , School of Law, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. 

Citation of the PhD thesis: Liang, Zhuo. “Mercy of the Dragon: China’s Engagement with International Humanitarian Law.” PhD thesis, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, 2022. For access, please contact Dr Liang at [email protected] .

Interview by Nathalie Tanner, Research Office. Banner picture: excerpt from an illustration by 9comeback/Shutterstock.com.  

Humanitarian Careers

PhD’s allow students to complete in-depth and extensive academic research. A PhD in a humanitarian subject is ideal for those wanting to conduct substantial research into humanitarian aid and related disciplines. Usually completed over 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, a PhD in a humanitarian subject is great for students who want to go on to a career in academia or research. By completing rigorous study and producing a piece of unique research, students who complete a PhD related to humanitarian aid gain substantial academic understanding their subject area.

Humanitarian Aid PhDs

A PhD in humanitarian aid focuses on investigating a specific area of the aid sector in-depth. Students on a PhD in humanitarian aid undertake extensive research into their chosen area of the aid industry. By completing cutting-edge research into current challenges, developing trends or major events affecting humanitarian aid work, PhD students are at the fore-front of academic research into international aid. PhD students researching humanitarian aid work with some of the leading academics and professionals focusing on humanitarianism.

Students doing PhDs in humanitarian aid combine academic research and field-work to complete their studies. Often imbedded in humanitarian agencies to undertake research, PhD students can work within humanitarian responses directly completing analysis. Those who complete a PhD in humanitarian aid can go on to work in universities, think tanks or governments working to improve aid policy. A PhD in humanitarian aid aims for students to undertake extensive and rigorous research and is best undertaken by those wanting to go on to more academic areas related to aid, rather than directly working in humanitarian and disaster response.

Global Security PhDs

A PhD in global security allows for a considerable piece of research to be completed related to the security industries. Often undertaken after gaining some years of professional experience in global security, PhD students focus on specific security topics for research. Working alongside leading academics and professionals, those on a PhD in security studies aim to produce a body of work to inform contemporary thinking in global security. A PhD in global security is usually completed over 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time.

Studying a PhD in global security is ideal for those wanting to conduct further research into security and intelligence work. To gain a place on a security studies PhD, applicants usually need to have completed a relevant masters and/or have worked in the security industry. A PhD in security studies is ideal for those wanting to pursue a career in academic research related to global security. Graduates with PhDs in global security can also go onto work for research institutions, security firms or in national governments or international organizations.

Migration Studies PhDs

Students completing a PhD in migration studies work on a specific, in-depth piece of research looking into human migration. They are able to choose unique and detailed areas of migration, and conduct self-directed research into it. PhDs are self-lead, but students will receive guidance and inputs from experts in their field. The aim of a PhD in migrations studies it to provide an analytical and critical addition to the current global understanding of human migration.

Taking on a PhD in migration studies is ideal for anyone wanting to undertake deep research into migration, its causes, impacts and outcomes. Many migration studies PhD graduates go on to careers in academia. Others go into the government or NGO sectors working in areas such as policy, research and advocacy.

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Russia-Ukraine war – live: Putin to give shock G20 speech as Moscow troops desert Donetsk frontline

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Vladimir Putin will set out Russia ’s view of the “deeply unstable world situation” in a shock G20 speech this week, the Kremlin has said, as Ukraine claimed growing numbers of Moscow’s troops were deserting the frontline in Donetsk .

Ukraine’s military has been bracing for a “third wave” of Russian assaults on the key city of Avdiivka – but a spokesperson claimed Moscow was being forced to rely increasingly on penal recruits and reservists due to its soldiers refusing to take part in casualty-heavy assaults.

Further south, Kyiv ’s forces claimed to have pushed Mr Putin’s forces three to eight kilometres back on the banks of the Dnipro River , in what would mark the first significant advance by Kyiv’s forces months into a grindingly slow counteroffensive.

Ukrainian and Russian forces have been entrenched on opposite sides of the vast waterway in Kherson for more than a year, until Kyiv claimed last week to have finally established multiple footholds on the river’s eastern bank.

Ukrainian army pushing Russian forces back at Dnipro river

Russia launches waves of drone strikes on Kyiv for second night

Cluster bombs in battle for Avdiivka fuelling stalemate on frontline, says UK

Ukraine establishes 'several bridgeheads' on eastern bank of Dnipro

Russian defence minister claims Ukraine failing to cross the Dnipro River

11:08 , Tom Watling

Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu has claimed that Ukraine have failed to carry out a landing operation in the Kherson region, the Interfax news agency reported.

The Russian politician, a senior figure involved in the “special military operation” and an integral member of Vladimir Putin’s siloviki (inner circle), was echoing dismissive claims made by the official channel of his own ministry earlier today.

Andriy Shevchenko urges the world not to forget Ukraine: ‘The cold is coming. Russia will try to hit our energy’

10:45 , Tom Watling

Almost two years into Russia’s devastating invasion, one of Ukraine’s most famous exports is desperate to keep shining a light on his country’s plight, writes Lawrence Ostlere , as global attention shifts to the Middle East.n

Andriy Shevchenko on Ukraine: ‘The cold is coming. Russia will try to hit our energy’

Russia says co-existence not possible with Ukraine's current 'regime'

10:20 , Tom Watling

Russia cannot co-exist with the current Ukrainian “regime” and will resist the might of the NATO military alliance for as long as Moscow needs to achieve its aims, a senior Russian foreign ministry diplomat said on Tuesday.

“The current regime is absolutely toxic, we do not see any options for co-existence with it at the moment,” Russian Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik told reporters in Moscow.

Miroshnik said Ukraine had carried out crimes against civilians and that NATO had supplied forbidden weapons to Ukraine but that the West would eventually lose interest in Ukraine.

“We can resist NATO just as much as we need to fulfill the tasks that the president has formulated,” Miroshnik said.

European Council president arrives in Kyiv to discuss ‘next steps’ of EU accession

09:54 , Tom Watling

Charles Michel, the European Council president, has also arrived in Kyiv ahead of talks about Ukrainian accession to the European Union.

Moldovan leader Maia Sandu arrived in the Ukrainian capital earlier this morning, as did German defence minister Boris Pistorius.

In a statement on X, Ms Sandu said that “discussing the next steps in EU accession of Moldova and Ukraine” was on the agenda for discussions.

She added that “enhancing regional security” as well as discussion on the “EU’s continued support of reforms and development in our countries” would also be a part of meetings today.

Mr Michel was greeted by the EU’s ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, at Kyiv’s railway station. She can be seen shaking Mr Michel’s hand below in a picture posted by the European Council chief to X. He captioned the photo: “Good to be back in Kyiv - among friends.”

Good to be back in Kyiv – among friends. pic.twitter.com/w9cAQzqYyo — Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) November 21, 2023

‘It’s like Covid’: Zelensky says Putin has made ‘five or six’ attempts on his life

09:48 , Tom Watling

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that at least “five or six” Russian attempts to assassinate him have been foiled by his security services.

The wartime leader, speaking from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, said the volume of attempts had turned him almost numb to the danger. He compared the later attempts to catching the Covid-19 infection.

“The first one is very interesting , when it is the first time, and after that it is just like Covid,” he said in a new interview.

You can read the full story here.

Ukraine air defence downs 9 out of 10 Russian drones

09:35 , Tom Watling

Ukraine air defence shot down one missile and 9 out of 10 drones in a Russian overnight strike, the nation’s air force has said.

The air force said in a statement the Russian forces launched Iranian-made drones from Russian territory on several directions.

US announce $100m aid package for Ukraine

09:17 , Tom Watling

The US have announced that they will send an additional $100 million in security aid to Ukraine.

The pledge follows US defence secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to Kyiv yesterday, during which he promised American support “for the long haul”.

Included in the latest package is one High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and an unspecified number of shells.

Ukraine’s ministry of defence welcomed the package in a statement on X. The amount, however, is minimal to the point of nominal; Ukraine has been using billions of dollars worth of munitions and heavy weaponry every month.

While the US Congress remains frozen without a fiscal plan for next year, they are unable to send more significant packages to Ukraine.

🇺🇸 @DeptofDefense announced additional security assistance for Ukraine valued at up to $100 million. Thank you for supporting Ukraine in our struggle against russian aggression. The capabilities in this package include: ◾️1 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and… — Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) November 21, 2023

Moldova's president Maia Sandu arrives in Ukraine

09:09 , Tom Watling

Moldova’s President Maia Sandu have arrived in Kyiv, the Ukrainian presidential office said on Tuesday.

Sandu and Ukraine‘s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy honoured the memory of people who died during the Revolution of Dignity 10 year ago, the office said on social media platform X.

German defence minister Boris Pistorius also arrived on Tuesday morning in Kyiv.

Today marks 10 years since the start of Euromaidan, a defining moment for Ukraine’s European path. Together with @ZelenskyyUa and @ZelenskaUA , I honoured all those who stood for freedom and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their legacy lives on. pic.twitter.com/2cti4oFGR2 — Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) November 21, 2023

Here are some of the latest pictures from Ukraine

08:30 , Tom Watling

Good morning. Below are some of the latest pictures from Ukraine as German defence minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv this morning for a secret visit.

His visit comes as snow has begun to fall in eastern Ukraine amid fears of a stalemate on the frontline.

General Valery Zaluzhny, the chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, wrote an article earlier this month in which he said the battle had descended into “positional” warfare and that there would be no major breakthrough such as the one many had hoped the summer counteroffensive would achieve. He met with US defece secretary Lloyd Austin yesterday.

Russia says it scuppers more Ukrainian attempts to cross the Dnipro

07:53 , Tara Cobham

Russia said on Tuesday that marines, aviation and artillery had scuppered more Ukrainian attempts to gain a foothold on the eastern bank of the River Dnipro and on islands at the mouth of the river in southern Ukraine.

Ukraine said this month that its forces had crossed the Dnipro and established several bridgeheads on the eastern banks of the river, though Russia said it was pummelling the Ukrainian positions.

"Black Sea Fleet marines are stopping all attempts by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to carry out amphibious landings on the Dnipro islands and the left bank of the Dnipro River," Russia's defence ministry said.

The Russian defence ministry published a video which it said showed marines from the 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade defeating Ukrainian forces. Soldiers were shown firing a variety of weapons, though the result of the fighting was unclear.

It said Ukrainian forces were suffering heavy casualties and losing equipment in unsuccessful attempts to land on islands in the Dnipro. Reuters was unable to immediately verify battlefield accounts from either side.

It is still unclear how significant the Ukrainian attempt to gain a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro is. Crossing the Dnipro leaves Ukrainian units exposed between river and marshland on one side and heavily fortified Russian lines on the other.

Russian strikes kill two and wound six in eastern Ukraine, say officials

07:42 , Tara Cobham

Two people were killed and six were wounded in overnight Russian missile attacks and shelling in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday.

Missiles hit a hospital in the Donetsk town of Selydove and a coal mine, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on the Telegram messaging service.

"Two buildings of the hospital were damaged, six civilians were injured. There may be victims under the rubble, search operations continue," Klymenko said.

One worker was killed in the attack on the coal mine, he said.

"Four buildings, 19 vehicles and a power line were damaged. 39 miners were trapped underground. As of now, all miners have been brought to the surface," he said.

Invading Russian forces have occupied much of Donetsk and Russia has said it intends to take over the whole region.

In Kharkiv, one person was killed in Russian shelling, the region's governor, Oleh Synehubov, said.

Bodies of Ukrainian and Russian troops exchanged

07:00 , Alexander Butler

The bodies of Ukrainian and Russian troops have been exchanged.

The Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War said around 94 Ukrainian troops were returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine said forensic examinations will now take place to identify the bodies.

The bodies of Russian troops were also handed over, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Russia may begin full mobilisation after 2024 presidential election, says senior security official

06:00 , Alexander Butler

Russia may begin full mobilisation after the 2024 Russian presidential election on 17 March, the secretary of the national security and defence council of Ukraine, Oleksii Danilov, has suggested.

Danilov said in a speech to the International Security Forum in Halifax, Canada: “Russia has managed to adapt, and constantly injects funds into its defence sector. Russia proved to be more resilient to the west’s sanctions, as expected.

“Russia is increasingly putting its economy on a war footing. Total mobilisation may follow the 2024 presidential elections.”

Russia lodges protest against Finnish ambassador as country threatens more borders will close

04:00 , Alexander Butler

Russia’s foreign ministry has said it has lodged a formal protest with the Finnish ambassador in Moscow over the closure of four busy border crossings between Russia and Finland.

On Saturday, Finland closed crossings on the shared border in a bid to halt the flow of asylum seekers that it says was instigated by Moscow.

Only four crossing points remain open, which the Russian foreign ministry said has impacted tens of thousands of people in both countries.

Russian drones target Kyiv as UK Defense Ministry says little chance of front-line change

03:00 , Alexander Butler

Russian drones targeted Kyiv on Sunday as the British Defense Ministry said there were “few immediate prospects” for major change along the Ukrainian front line as the war enters its second winter.

Russia launched 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones overnight, targeting the Ukrainian capital and the Cherkasy and Poltava regions, according to a military statement. Ukrainian anti-aircraft systems shot down 15 of the drones.

The overnight strike on Kyiv is the second attack on the Ukrainian capital in 48 hours, said the city’s Military Administration spokesperson, Serhii Popko.

NATO committed to Bosnia's territorial integrity condemns 'malign' Russian influence

01:00 , Alexander Butler

NATO supports Bosnia‘s territorial integrity and is concerned by “malign foreign interference,” including by Russia, in the volatile Balkans region that went through a devastating war in the 1990s, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday.

Sarajevo is the first stop on Stoltenberg’s tour of Western Balkan countries that will also include Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia.

“The Allies strongly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina,” Stoltenberg told reporters. “We are concerned by the secessionist and divisive rhetoric as well as malign foreign interference, including Russia.”

At least 11,000 children in ‘re-education’ camps in Russia, UK ministry of defence says

00:01 , Alexander Butler

Russia is holding at least 11,000 Ukrainian children across 43 “re-education” camps, the UK ministry of defence said.

“At least 11,000 Ukrainian children are reportedly being detained at 43 re-education camps across Russia, thousands of miles from home. Their simple right to life and liberty is being impacted,” the ministry said on X.

At least 11,000 Ukrainian children are reportedly being detained at 43 re-education camps across Russia, thousands of miles from home. Their simple right to life and liberty is being impacted. #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/Dk7Lh9E935 — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) November 20, 2023

Russia bars Moldovan nationals, summoning ambassador

Monday 20 November 2023 22:00 , Alexander Butler

Russia barred entry to a number of officials from Moldova on Monday and complained about moves by its pro-European government to block Russian media outlets ahead of local elections earlier this month.

The moves were the latest in a series of acerbic exchanges between the two sides and allegations by Moldova that Russia has been exerting pressure on the ex-Soviet state’s affairs and President Maia Sandu’s drive to join the European Union.

A Russian foreign ministry statement said Moldovan Ambassador Lilian Darie was summoned to be told of the decision.

“The Moldovan side was presented with a decisive protest in connection with the continuing politically motivated persecution of Russian media in Moldova, including the blocking of access to their Internet sites,” a ministry statement said.

The US is with Ukraine ‘for the long haul’, defence secretary tells Zelensky

Monday 20 November 2023 20:13 , Alexander Butler

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said the country remains behind Ukraine as it continues its war with Russia. It comes after announcing a further package of defensive aid worth $100m.

“The message that I bring you today is that the United States of America is with you. We will remain with you for the long haul,” Mr Austin said.

He added: “I think they are prepared for combat in the winter. They did a great job last year. This year we expect them to be, just based on what President Zelensky has said, them to be even more aggressive.”

Ukrainian sniper ‘breaks world record after killing Russian solider nearly 2.5 miles away’

Monday 20 November 2023 18:12 , Alexander Butler

A Ukrainian sniper claims to have broken the world record by killing a Russian soldier almost 2.5 miles away, with a custom rifle called ‘Lord of the Horizon’, Holly Evans reports.

The previous record was held by a Canadian special operations sniper at a distance of 2.2 miles in Iraq in 2017.

In a press statement, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said: “The SBU sniper set a world record for a successful shot.

“He hit a Russian soldier from an incredible distance.

“SBU snipers are changing the rules of world sniping, demonstrating the ability to work effectively at fantastic distances.”

Ukrainian sniper ‘breaks world record after killing solider nearly 2.5 miles away’

Full report: Russia puts Ukrainian winner of Eurovision Song Contest on wanted list

Monday 20 November 2023 17:14 , Andy Gregory

Russia has placed a Ukrainian singer who won the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest on its wanted list, state news agencies reported Monday.

The independent news site Mediazona said singer Susana Jamaladinova was charged under a Russian law adopted last year which outlaws spreading so-called fake information about the war in Ukraine.

Russia puts Ukrainian winner of Eurovision Song Contest on wanted list

Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Lachlan Murdoch in Kyiv

Monday 20 November 2023 16:46 , Andy Gregory

Volodymyr Zelensky has met Fox Corp chief executive Lachlan Murdoch in the Ukrainian capital, in what Kyiv described as a “very important signal” of support at a time when global media attention has shifted from the war in Ukraine.

“The Head of State thanked Lachlan Murdoch for his visit and emphasised that it is a very important signal of support at the time when the world’s attention is blurred by other events,” the Ukrainian president’s office said.

Mr Zelensky was quoted by his office as saying it was vital to keep the world’s attention focused on the war in Ukraine, adding: “For us, for our warriors, this is not a movie. These are our lives. This is daily hard work. And it will not be over as quickly as we would like, but we have no right to give up and we will not.”

Fox News journalist Benjamin Hall, who was badly wounded covering the war in Ukraine last year, and Sun journalist Jerome Starkey were also invited to the meeting with Rupert Murdoch’s eldest son, who was named the sole chair of News Corp in September.

ICYMI: Zelensky invites Trump to Ukraine after claims he could stop war in 24 hours

Monday 20 November 2023 16:24 , Andy Gregory

Opinion | Ukrainian victory is all but certain – so long as its allies do not seek a ‘way out'

Monday 20 November 2023 16:03 , Andy Gregory

In this Independent Voices piece, James Nixey of Chatham House writes:

Calling the war a stalemate is an obvious example of self-defeat: if it is believed that Ukraine cannot win the war, then Ukraine will not be given weapons to win the war which, in turn, means … they will not win the war. It takes rare political courage to imagine Ukraine’s victory, although EU officials Ursula von der Leyen and Josep Borrell have managed this.

Ukraine’s EU accession, likely and in progress, and Nato accession, less likely in times of war and very dependent on US backing, will be a hollow victory if its resources dry up. Russia has had a poor war – its Black Sea fleet has retreated from Crimea, meaning it will have problems defending the peninsula, and Ukraine’s counter-offensive at Avdiivka has been costly for Russia.

But Russia can absorb costs like no other. Its industry is war-mobilised and its soldiers are dispensable, replaceable commodities. Depopulation and brain drain are problems for another day and arguably affect Ukraine more. Nor should a bad plan be mistaken for a bad army that does not learn from its mistakes. Russia does. And it may have been forced to turn to North Korea to fill a “munitions gap”, but that too has worked.

Vladimir Putin’s ideology is delusional of course, but he remains deeply committed to seeing his war through to a successful conclusion: “all in” and long since recovered from the Prigozhin affair, he surely believes he can win.

But it also remains the case that a Ukrainian victory is possible – more than possible. In fact, it is all but certain; but only if Western countries do not “get tired”, do not look for a “way out”, and if Ukraine is given the tools to finish the job.

Russia’s plan B in Ukraine is working – the West must not turn away now

‘Double standards’ in Israel-Hamas conflict have ‘undermined fight' for Ukraine, says Varadkar

Monday 20 November 2023 15:38 , Andy Gregory

Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said there is “double standards” from the EU and some Western powers in relation to Israel and Palestine.

The Taoiseach said the stance of some Western countries in response to the Israel-Hamas war had “undermined the fight” to garner support for Ukraine as it battles against the ongoing Russian invasion.

Here is the full report:

Varadkar raises concerns about EU ‘double standards’ on Israel and Palestine

Kyiv hoping for Poland talks over lorry driver protests

Monday 20 November 2023 15:09 , Andy Gregory

Kyiv hopes to hold a new round of talks with Poland and the European Union this week to resolve an issue with Polish lorry drivers holding protests to block border crossings, a Ukrainian trade representative has said.

“This week we hope to have negotiations in a trilateral format,” Taras Kachka told broadcasters.

Yesterday, some 3,000 mostly Ukrainian lorries – including those carrying fuel and humanitarian aid – were caught on the Polish side of the border due to a more than 10-day blockade by Polish hauliers, Ukrainian officials said.

The hauliers are protesting against what they see as government inaction over a loss of business to foreign competitors since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

US defence secretary meets with Zelensky in Kyiv

Monday 20 November 2023 14:32 , Andy Gregory

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has said he was “honoured” to meet Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky during a surprise visit to Kyiv today – his second since April 2022.

Washington will “continue to support Ukraine’s urgent battlefield needs and long-term defence requirements”, Mr Austin said.

I was honored to meet with President @ZelenskyyUa in Kyiv today to reaffirm the United States’ steadfast support for Ukraine. We, along with our allies and partners, will continue to support Ukraine’s urgent battlefield needs and long-term defense requirements. pic.twitter.com/Odv6ClgcrP — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) November 20, 2023

Russia places Eurovision winner on its wanted list

Monday 20 November 2023 14:03 , Andy Gregory

Russia has placed the 2016 winner of the Eurovision Song Contest on its wanted list.

An Interior Ministry database lists Ukrainian singer Susana Jamaladinova – who uses the stage name Jamala, and is of Crimean Tatar descent – as being sought for violating a criminal law, Russian state news agencies reported.

She won the Eurovision contest with the song “1944,” whose title refers to the year the Soviet Union deported Crimean Tatars en masse. Russia protested the song being allowed in the competition, saying it violated rules against political speech. But the song made no specific criticism of Russia or the Soviet Union.

The independent news site Mediazona said Ms Jamaladinova was charged under a Russian law adopted last year to outlaw the spread of so-called fake information about the Ukraine war.

Watch: Lazarus Project star says series predicted Russia-Ukraine war

Monday 20 November 2023 13:35 , Andy Gregory

Top Ukrainian cyber defence officials sacked amid corruption probe

Monday 20 November 2023 13:22 , Andy Gregory

Ukraine has sacked two high-ranking cyber defence officials amid a probe into alleged embezzlement, a senior government official said.

Yurii Shchyhol, head of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP), and his deputy, Viktor Zhora, were dismissed by the government, cabinet chief Taras Melnychuk said on Monday.

The firings coincided with an announcement by anti-corruption prosecutors that they were investigating officials in cyber defence positions over their alleged roles in a six-person plot to embezzle 62 million Ukrainian hryvnia (£1.38m) in 2021.

Prosecutors did not identify either official by name, and the SSSCIP did not immediately respond to a written request for comment.

Jailed Russian nationalist Girkin hopes to challenge Putin in presidential elections

Monday 20 November 2023 12:56 , Andy Gregory

Pro-war Russian nationalist Igor Girkin has announced that he wants to run for president – despite understanding the upcoming March election will be “sham” with the winner already clear.

Mr Girkin – who is in custody awaiting trial for inciting extremism – has repeatedly said Russia faces revolution and even civil war unless Vladimir Putin’s military top brass fight the war in Ukraine more effectively.

A former FSB officer who helped annex Crimea in 2014 and organise pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine, Mr Girkin said before his arrest that he and his supporters were entering politics.

“I understand perfectly well that in the current situation in Russia, participating in the presidential campaign is like sitting down at a table to play with card sharps,” he said in a letter published on Telegram entitled: “I am going to run.”

Mr Girkin said that he did not think that he would be allowed to take part in the election, but hoped that his attempt to unite patriotic forces would disrupt the Kremlin’s plan for a “sham election” in which “the only winner is known in advance”.

Analysis | Russia’s plan B in Ukraine is working – now is not the moment for the West to turn away

Monday 20 November 2023 12:27 , Andy Gregory

In this Independent Voices piece, James Nixey – director of Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia Programme – writes:

When Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, was fooled recently by two well-known Russian “comics” – surely paid-up Kremlin agents – into saying she was “tired” of the war in Ukraine and that everyone would soon be looking for a “way out”, too many of her counterparts in the West would have tacitly agreed (and perhaps sympathised: she is hardly the first to be pranked by these two).

But Ms Meloni deserves no sympathy. She thought she was talking to the head of the African Union Commission so this should have been a chance to exercise statecraft and reason with the supposed representative from the Global South and argue that Russia’s war in Ukraine is nothing if not colonialist itself – a desperate attempt to maintain its empire.

But Ms Meloni’s admission was worse than just not showing moral leadership. She was also playing into Russia’s hands by parroting its narrative: being tired and looking for a way out of the war is precisely what Vladimir Putin now wants from the Western world.

Nato concerned by secessionist rhetoric and Russian influence in Bosnia

Monday 20 November 2023 11:58 , Andy Gregory

Jens Stoltenberg has said Nato is concerned by secessionist rhetoric and Russian influence in Bosnia, after months of Serb leaders increasingly saying they want to split and join Serbia.

Bosnia emerged from civil war in 1995 with a federal structure uniting a Serb-dominated republic and a federation of Croats and Bosniak Muslims. But the leader of Serbian entity, Milorad Dodik, has increasingly said in recent months that he aims to secede and join neighbouring Serbia.

“We are concerned by secessionist and divisive rhetoric as well as ... foreign interference including Russia,” the Nato chief told reporters in Sarajevo, during a tour of the western Balkans region.

“This undermines the stability and hampers reform,” Mr Stoltenberg said, adding that all political leaders must work to preserve unity, build national institutions and achieve reconciliation.

Nato had deployed about 60,000 troops in Bosnia after the war, which were replaced by an EU peacekeeping force in 2004. Last year, the EU almost doubled its size to 1,100 troops, amid fears that instability from the Ukraine war could spill over to the western Balkans.

Putin to address G20 summit this week, Kremlin says

Monday 20 November 2023 11:15 , Andy Gregory

Vladimir Putin will set out Russia’s view of what it sees as the “deeply unstable world situation” when he addresses an upcoming virtual G20 summit, the Kremlin has said.

Russian state TV presenter Pavel Zarubin said on his Telegram channel on Sunday that it would be the “first event in a long time” including both the Russian president and Western leaders.

According to the state RIA news agency, the G20 virtual summit will be held on Wednesday.

Russia relying on penal recruits to stem increase in deserters on Donetsk frontline, Ukraine claims

Monday 20 November 2023 11:06 , Andy Gregory

Growing numbers of Russian soldiers are deserting the frontline in Donetsk, Ukraine’s military has claimed as it braces for a long-awaited “third wave” of attacks by Moscow’s forces in Avdiivka.

The Institute for Study of War think-tank cited Ukrainian Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun as saying that Russia may soon intensify artillery preparations for the new wave of assaults on the strategically key city.

Moscow’s forces have not actively used heavy military equipment Avdiivka in recent days, have decreased aviation use in the area, and are increasingly using infantry, he said, claiming that Russia’s significant losses mean only 10 to 15 percent of some detachments’ original personnel remain.

In remarks on Sunday, Mr Shtupun claimed there were growing numbers of Russian deserters and personnel who refuse to conduct offensive operations, leading Russian commanders to use physical force and barrier troops to push Russian forces to fight, with an increased reliance on mobilised reservists and penal recruits.

EU sanctions tend to have ‘boomerang effect’, Russia claims

Monday 20 November 2023 10:54 , Andy Gregory

The Kremlin has claimed that European Union sanctions tend to have a “boomerang effect”, as Moscow faces the prospect of an EU ban on imports of Russian diamonds.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday that such a move had been anticipated for a long time, but was likely to backfire.

“As a rule, it turns out that a boomerang effect is partially triggered: the interests of the Europeans themselves suffer. So far, we have been able to find ways to minimise the negative consequences of sanctions,” he claimed.

EU diplomatic sources told Reuters last week that the proposal under discussion was to ban direct diamond imports from Russia from 1 January, and to implement a traceability mechanism by March which would prevent imports of Russian gems processed in third countries.

Exclusive: Andriy Shevchenko urges the world not to forget Ukraine

Monday 20 November 2023 10:29 , Andy Gregory

On the morning of 24 February 2022 – a date etched in every Ukrainian’s mind – Andriy Shevchenko was woken by a phone call from his mother. She told him through tears that Russia was invading. Shevchenko was in London, where he lives with his wife and four sons; his mother and wider family were in Ukraine, under attack.

Shevchenko has barely slept since. “It’s almost impossible,” he says. “It’s going to be almost two years since the full war started, and every day I wake up, check the phone – what’s the news? Are we going to be attacked in Kyiv? Are we going to be attacked in a different city? How many drones? How many rockets? Where have the rockets hit? And then, talking to my friends – who’s dead? It’s a normal day for us.”

Shevchenko is using his platform as one of Europe’s greatest footballers, a Ballon d’Or winner and a Chelsea cult hero to keep the spotlight on Ukraine at a time when the world’s attention has turned to the Middle East. In the West, the initial shock caused by Russia’s invasion has subsided, and a sense of normalisation has crept in. He is understandably worried that Ukraine’s cause might be forgotten.

“I hope not,” he says. “Because for us, it’s everything. For us, it’s exist or not exist.”

Our senior sports writer Lawrence Ostlere has the full exclusive interview here:

Andriy Shevchenko on Ukraine: ‘Every day I wake up, check the phone. Who’s dead?’

Kremlin ‘deeply regrets’ Finland’s border closures

Monday 20 November 2023 10:08 , Andy Gregory

The Kremlin has said it deeply regrets Finland’s decision to close crossings along the two countries’ vast border on Saturday.

Finland closed four crossings on Saturday in a bid to halt the flow of asylum-seekers, having accused Moscow of funnelling migrants to the frontier in retaliation for Helsinki’s ascension to Nato and increased Western military cooperation since the invasion of Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied Finland’s accusation on Monday and insisted that Russian border guards were carrying out their duties in line with the rules.

Asked about the closure of the four crossings, Mr Peskov told reporters: “This causes nothing but deep regret, because we had long-standing, very good relations with Finland, pragmatic, based on mutual respect.

“And of course, we regret that these relations were replaced by such an exclusively Russophobic position, which the leaders of this country began to espouse,” he said.

Moscow protest shows lengthy Russian deployments to frontline ‘unsustainable’, says UK

Monday 20 November 2023 09:44 , Andy Gregory

Protests in Moscow by the wives of Russian soldiers show that their lengthy deployments to the front line are increasingly viewed as unsustainable, Britain’s Ministry of Defence suggested.

Russian wives and mothers have been making daily online appeals protesting against the conditions of their loved ones’ service since the invasion of Ukraine last February.

“However, Russia’s draconian legislation has so far prevented troops’ relatives from coalescing into an influential lobbying force, as soldiers’ mothers did during the Afghan-Soviet War of the 1980s,” said the ministry”.

But on 7 November, they held a rare street protest in Moscow’s central Teatralnya Square, unfurling banners demanding the rotation of their partners away from the frontline.

Police broke up the protest within minutes, according to the ministry, which added: “However, the protestors’ immediate demand is notable.

“The apparently indefinitely extended combat deployments of personnel without rotation is increasingly seen as unsustainable by both the troops themselves and by their relatives.”

US defence secretary’s visit to Kyiv is his first since early months of war

Monday 20 November 2023 09:21 , Andy Gregory

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has made an unannounced visit to Kyiv today, as he pushes to keep money and weapons flowing to Ukraine.

Mr Austin travelled by train from Poland, and is scheduled to meet with senior Ukrainian officials.

It marks his second trip to Kyiv – with his first having taken place in April 2022, just two months after Russia’s invasion.

Two killed in Kherson after Russia shells parking lot, officials say

Monday 20 November 2023 08:55 , Andy Gregory

Two people have been killed this morning after Russian forces shelled a parking lot in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, according to officials.

Regional prosecutors said they had opened a war-crimes investigation into the artillery strike, which occurred at around 9am and injured one other person.

Kherson governor Oleksandr Prokudin said the two dead were drivers for “a private transport business”.

Images posted on Telegram showed firefighters dousing cars that had been blasted apart, one day after a separate strike on the city wounded five people, including a 3-year-old girl.

Russian forces have regularly shelled Kherson from across the Dnipro River since the city was liberated last November by Ukrainian troops – who are now seeking to push Moscow’s troops away from the river after establishing a foothold on the opposite bank.

Second drone in as many days shot down near Moscow as Russia and Ukraine exchange attacks on capitals

Monday 20 November 2023 08:29 , Andy Gregory

Russia and Ukraine sent drones targeting each other’s capital cities over the weekend in signs of renewed intensity for their aerial warfare, my colleague Arpan Rai reports.

Drones were shot down on both Saturday and Sunday in areas around Kyiv and Moscow. Air defence systems for both sides intercepted attacks and no casualties were reported.

Multiple drones that were heading for Moscow and Russia’s border areas on Sunday were downed by Russian air defence systems over the weekend, officials said.

Kyiv has promised to wage a major drone campaign against Russia this winter, as bad weather conditions make it difficult to conduct operations on the ground.

Russia under Ukraine’s drone attack for two nights in row as Moscow remains on target

Zelensky dismisses Ukraine’s military medical chief

Monday 20 November 2023 08:11 , Andy Gregory

Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Major General Tetiana Ostashchenko as the commander of Ukraine’s medical forces, as he demanded rapid changes in the operations of the country’s military medical system.

“In today’s meeting with defence minister [Rustem] Umerov, priorities were set,” the Ukrainian president said in his nightly address on Sunday. “There is little time left to wait for results. Quick action is needed for forthcoming changes.”

He added: “The task is clear, as has been repeatedly stressed in society, particularly among combat medics, we need a fundamentally new level of medical support for our soldiers.”

A wide range of improvements are needed, Mr Zelensky said – from better tourniquets, to improvements in digitalisation and communication.

Ms Ostashchenko was replaced by Major General Anatoliy Kazmirchuk, head of a military clinic in Kyiv.

US defence secretary arrives in Kyiv

Monday 20 November 2023 07:45 , Andy Gregory

US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin has arrived for a visit in Kyiv.

I just arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian leaders. I’m here today to deliver an important message – the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russia’s aggression, both now and into the future. pic.twitter.com/1D96aeeACl — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) November 20, 2023

Two killed as grenade explodes in Kyiv apartment

Monday 20 November 2023 07:26 , Andy Gregory

A Ukrainian soldier and a woman died when a grenade exploded in an apartment in Kyiv, injuring a second man, police said.

Explosives technicians and investigators were working at the scene of Sunday’s explosion in the Dniprovskiy district, Kyiv police said in a statement.

“A citizen contacted the police with a report that an explosion rang out in a neighbouring apartment,” they added.

Earlier this month, an aide to Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, General Valery Zaluzhnyi, died when a grenade given to him as a birthday gift blew up.

An orphaned teenager who was taken to Russia early in the Ukraine war is back home with relatives

Monday 20 November 2023 07:00 , Holly Evans

An orphaned Ukrainian teenager who was taken to Russia last year during the war in his country returned home after being reunited with relatives in Belarus on his 18th birthday Sunday.

Bohdan Yermokhin was pictured embracing family members in Minsk in photographs shared on social media by Russia’s children’s rights ombudswoman, Maria Lvova-Belova.

Andrii Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, confirmed that Yermokhin had arrived back in Ukraine and shared a photo of him with a Ukrainian flag. Yermak thanked UNICEF and Qatari negotiators for facilitating Yermokhin’s return.

Read the full article here

Putin could face new war crime case as evidence suggests starvation of Ukraine was pre-planned

Monday 20 November 2023 05:30 , Holly Evans

Russia was actively preparing to steal grain supplies and starve the Ukrainian population of food for months before Vladimir Putin ordered last year’s invasion, according to new evidence compiled by human rights experts.

When Russian tanks did roll across the border on 24 February 2022 they deliberately targeted grain-rich areas and food production infrastructure first, the new report by international human rights law firm Global Rights Compliance found.

GRC found that Russia’s defence contractor began purchasing trucks to transport grain, as well as three new 170-metre bulk carrier cargo ships, as early as December 2021, evidence of advance planning for the pillage of Ukrainian food resources “on an unprecedented scale”.

Putin could face new war crime case over ‘planned’ starvation of Ukraine

Wife of twice-poisoned Briton held in Kremlin prison fears ‘time is running out’

Monday 20 November 2023 04:30 , Holly Evans

The wife of a British-Russian national held in a Krelimn prison says she fears time is running out, and has called for the UK to take more urgent action to free him.

Vladimir Kara-Murza survived two near-fatal poisonings, in 2015 and 2017, which resulted in organ failure and polyneuropathy, a condition that causes nerve damage.

The Vladimir Putin critic was jailed for 25 years in April this year on charges of treason and spreading “false information” about Russia’s war in Ukraine .

Zelensky calls for rapid operation changes and sacks commander

Monday 20 November 2023 03:30 , Holly Evans

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday demanded rapid changes in the operations of Ukraine’s military and announced the dismissal of the commander of the military’s medical forces.

Zelensky’s move was announced as he met Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, and coincided with debate over the conduct of the 20-month-old war against Russia, with questions over how quickly a counteroffensive in the east and south is proceeding.

“In today’s meeting with Defence Minister Umerov, priorities were set,” Zelensky said in his nightly video address. “There is little time left to wait for results. Quick action is needed for forthcoming changes.”

Zelensky said he had replaced Major-General Tetiana Ostashchenko as commander of the Armed Forces Medical Forces.

“The task is clear, as has been repeatedly stressed in society, particularly among combat medics, we need a fundamentally new level of medical support for our soldiers,” he said.

This, he said, included a range of issues -- better tourniquets, digitalisation and better communication.

Umerov acknowledged the change on the Telegram messaging app and set as top priorities digitalisation, “tactical medicine” and rotation of servicemen.

Plight of one Ukraine village illustrates toll of Russia’s invasion

Monday 20 November 2023 02:30 , Holly Evans

Kamianka lies in a charming valley of bright flowers and lush trees. It used to be portrayed as a model village for a contented life in rural idyll. It was also a place of archaeological and geological lure, with its rare bronze age and Scythian sites and Jurassic limestone cliffs attracting visitors from afar.

The settlement , set in a sleepy hollow, was established in the 18th century by a count from the Tsar of Russia ’s court who had returned from Britain with new methods of farming and an English bride. Keen to put his new knowledge into practice, he allocated land, built a mill, constructed roads and funded a church and a school.

But Kamianka, in eastern Ukraine , also has a dark history of violence.

Read the full article from Kim Sengupta here

Russia’s plan B in Ukraine is working – now is not the moment for the West to turn away

Monday 20 November 2023 01:30 , Holly Evans

hen Italy ’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni , was fooled recently by two well-known Russian “comics” – surely paid-up Kremlin agents – into saying she was “tired” of the war in Ukraine and that everyone would soon be looking for a “way out”, too many of her counterparts in the West would have tacitly agreed (and perhaps sympathised: she is hardly the first to be pranked by these two).

But Ms Meloni deserves no sympathy. She thought she was talking to the head of the African Union Commission so this should have been a chance to exercise statecraft and reason with the supposed representative from the Global South and argue that Russia ’s war in Ukraine is nothing if not colonialist itself – a desperate attempt to maintain its empire.

Russia, with an abundance of chutzpah and an absence of shame, claims that it is the West that is being colonialist in forcing its designs on Kyiv (even supposedly “Nazi-ruled Kyiv”). You have to apply to join Nato and the EU, of course, but facts like these are irrelevant.

Read the full article from James Nixey here

Moscow mayor says air defence units intercept drone targeting city

Monday 20 November 2023 00:30 , Holly Evans

Air defence units in Moscow intercepted a drone targeting the city on Sunday, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

Sobyanin, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said units in the Elektrostal district in the capital’s east had intercepted the drone.

According to preliminary information, falling debris resulting from the operation had caused no casualties or damage, Sobyanin said.

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phd international humanitarian law

First refuelling for Russia’s Akademik Lomonosov floating NPP

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phd international humanitarian law

The FNPP includes two KLT-40S reactor units. In such reactors, nuclear fuel is not replaced in the same way as in standard NPPs – partial replacement of fuel once every 12-18 months. Instead, once every few years the entire reactor core is replaced with and a full load of fresh fuel.

The KLT-40S reactor cores have a number of advantages compared with standard NPPs. For the first time, a cassette core was used, which made it possible to increase the fuel cycle to 3-3.5 years before refuelling, and also reduce by one and a half times the fuel component in the cost of the electricity produced. The operating experience of the FNPP provided the basis for the design of the new series of nuclear icebreaker reactors (series 22220). Currently, three such icebreakers have been launched.

The Akademik Lomonosov was connected to the power grid in December 2019, and put into commercial operation in May 2020.

Electricity generation from the FNPP at the end of 2023 amounted to 194 GWh. The population of Pevek is just over 4,000 people. However, the plant can potentially provide electricity to a city with a population of up to 100,000. The FNPP solved two problems. Firstly, it replaced the retiring capacities of the Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant, which has been operating since 1974, as well as the Chaunskaya Thermal Power Plant, which is more than 70 years old. It also supplies power to the main mining enterprises located in western Chukotka. In September, a 490 km 110 kilovolt power transmission line was put into operation connecting Pevek and Bilibino.

Image courtesy of TVEL

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  6. Our PhD programme

    The P8 programme, initiated by Swissuniversities in 2019, aims to enhance digital skills in education. Specifically focused on supporting universities, the programme offers workshops for PhD students from the Geneva Graduate Institute. These workshops combine traditional presentations with practical exercises to impart knowledge and skills ...

  7. Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

    Established in 2007 by the Faculty of Law of the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, the Geneva Academy has acquired a global reputation for excellent teaching and research, and it attracts students of high quality to its master's and training programmes. ... Every student of the LLM in ...

  8. Fellowships

    Have a PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. public international law, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, transitional justice, international criminal law) Possess a Swiss passport or residency permit or possess an EU passport or a valid Schengen visa; Be self-funded for their period of stay

  9. PhD Humanitarianism and Conflict Response / Overview

    The PhD is a three-year course of study (or six years of part-time study) in which you prepare a thesis under the guidance of two supervisors with specialist expertise. ... disaster response and humanitarian aid. As a postgraduate researcher in HCRI, you will join an active and accessible research community. Our interests are varied in terms of ...

  10. Overview

    The LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights (60 ECTS credits) is a one-year postgraduate degree. It is designed for intellectually curious and thoughtful candidates with a law degree who want to gain advanced, comprehensive and practical training in international humanitarian law, international human rights law, international refugee law and international criminal law, the ...

  11. 6 Fully-Funded PhD Programs in Human Rights

    The Human Rights Ph.D. program at the University of Sussex is taught by faculty members from several different departments including Law, Anthropology, and Philosophy. Academic supervisors and Ph.D. candidates work together to explore the relationships and roles of humans in processes such as poverty, violence, identity, and globalization.

  12. International Humanitarian Law in Theory and Practice

    The International Humanitarian Law in Theory and Practice Summer School offers a unique opportunity to learn from well-known and influential academics and leading practitioners from Leiden University, The Netherlands Defence Academy and the University of Amsterdam. You will gain first-hand knowledge on the rules and laws of armed conflict in ...

  13. humanitarian law PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

    The Refugee Law Initiative (RLI) is a leading academic centre in the UK concentrating on international refugee law and policy. Read more. Funded PhD Programme (Students Worldwide) Humanities Research Programme. 1. Find a PhD is a comprehensive guide to PhD studentships and postgraduate research degrees.

  14. international law of human rights PhD Projects, Programmes ...

    The Comparative Constitutional Law program offers a comprehensive study of constitutional systems across jurisdictions, contributing to the scholarly discourse on governance and human rights. Read more. Funded PhD Programme (Students Worldwide) Social Sciences Research Programme. More Details.

  15. International Human Rights Law

    In this programme, you will be trained in human rights at the international level, but also in international humanitarian law and other related fields of (international) law. You will learn about the different systems and how human rights are interpreted within these systems and in different countries. Official detailed information on the ...

  16. PhD Opportunities for Humanitarians

    Our research agenda looks beyond the academic to how communities, organisations and individuals are meeting the challenge of leadership in the humanitarian system and a changing world. About you. We are looking for prospective PhD or Masters of Research candidates with backgrounds in the areas of humanitarian and/or development aid.

  17. Mercy of the Dragon: China's Engagement with International Humanitarian

    International humanitarian law (IHL) is a branch of international law governing the conduct of armed conflict, with a humble humanitarian goal of alleviating suffering resulting from armed violence. My idea to examine the interaction between IHL and China came to my mind when I was doing an internship with the ICRC in 2017.

  18. LLM

    The LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights is one of the most innovative and intellectually challenging programmes in this field of study offered in Europe today. It provides a firm grounding in public international law, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, international refugee law and international criminal law. It also covers particular issues such ...

  19. PHD

    PhD's allow students to complete in-depth and extensive academic research. A PhD in a humanitarian subject is ideal for those wanting to conduct substantial research into humanitarian aid and related disciplines. Usually completed over 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, a PhD in a humanitarian subject is great for students who want to go.

  20. Yuzhny prospekt, 6к1, Elektrostal

    Get directions to Yuzhny prospekt, 6к1 and view details like the building's postal code, description, photos, and reviews on each business in the building

  21. Dr. SherryCWang (Phd) on Instagram: "I invite you to be shocked, angry

    174 likes, 14 comments - drsherrycwang on February 23, 2024: "I invite you to be shocked, angry, disappointed, and in disbelief that a group of psychologists in APA leadership voted against a statement calling for global ceasefires. At the start of Council this morning, I learned that there was an opportunity to propose a new business item— to ask for a global ceasefire.

  22. FETISOV Gleb Gennadyevich

    Gleb Fetisov was Mikhail Fridman's partner in Alfa Group. Having sold his stakes in Vimpelcom, he set up My Bank which ended up in bankruptcy due to related party loans. Having paid $200mm he settled the case with the Russian prosecution.

  23. Russia-Ukraine war

    The bodies of Russian troops were also handed over, in accordance with international humanitarian law. ... Danilov said in a speech to the International Security Forum in Halifax, Canada: "Russia has managed to adapt, and constantly injects funds into its defence sector. Russia proved to be more resilient to the west's sanctions, as expected.

  24. First refuelling for Russia's Akademik Lomonosov floating NPP

    Rosatom's fuel company TVEL has supplied nuclear fuel for reactor 1 of the world's only floating NPP (FNPP), the Akademik Lomonosov, moored at the city of Pevek, in Russia's Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The supply of fuel was transported along the Northern Sea Route. The first ever refuelling of the FNPP is planned to begin before the end of ...