Protecting Education
International Law Handbook
In January 2020, BIICL published Protecting Education in Insecurity and Armed Conflict: An International Law Handbook (Second Edition).This Handbook is a practical and comprehensive guide to the relevant provisions of international law that protect education in situations of insecurity and armed conflict. This is the Second Edition of the Handbook, with the first one having been published in 2012.
The Handbook was authored by BIICL, in cooperation with Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict (PEIC), a programme of the Education Above All foundation (EAA). PEIC is a Qatar-based policy, research, and advocacy organisation concerned with protecting the right to education in insecurity and conflict. For further information please see PEIC's website.
Copies of the 2020 Handbook and a Summary written specifically for non-legal audiences are available here
Protecting Education in Insecurity and Armed Conflict: Summary
Watch the launch of the second edition of the handbook
Recording of the Webinar held 20 July 2020
The publication of this resource is a meaningful step within the longer process towards ensuring the protection of education during insecurity and armed conflict.
Dame Rosalyn Higgins GBE, QC and former President of the International Court of Justice considers this publication to be:
"an unusual and important Handbook ... [offering] depth and conceptual clarity".
PEIC and BIICL hope that this publication will be widely utilised by those in the legal community with an interest in protecting against violations of the right to education and other associated provisions of international law.
The Handbook fills a gap in the legal literature by examining how international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and international criminal law protect education during situations of insecurity and armed conflict.
It is in these situations that the protection of education is most at risk and when relevant international law provisions require increased attention, focus, accessibility, and implementation. It examines the provisions of international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and international criminal law directly relevant to education in insecurity and armed conflict.
The Handbook also explains other provisions of international law that protect students and educational staff, and educational facilities. Finally, the Handbook also introduces some of the international and regional legal mechanisms that can be used to obtain reparation for such violations.
To find out more about this project, or to provide comments and feedback on the Handbook, please contact Kristin Hausler.
Teaching Material
In order to facilitate the teaching of the content of our research on the protection of education, BIICL has developed in cooperation with PEIC two documents which may be used freely by law professors and lecturers. These documents include a PowerPoint presentation and accompanying notes which may be used to teach a two to three hour class. The content covers the protection under international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and international criminal law. It is suitable for any international law class and may be adapted to suit different knowledge levels.
New Developments
Since the publication of the Handbook in 2012, there have been new developments in the protection of education in insecurity and armed conflict under international law. In order to keep the Handbook current, BIICL and PEIC will publish yearly briefs containing relevant updates in that area.
2015 developments: Protecting Education in Insecurity and Armed Conflict: An International Law Handbook 2015 update
2014 developments: Protecting Education in Insecurity and Armed Conflict: An International Law Handbook 2014 update
2013 developments: Protecting Education in Insecurity and Armed Conflict: An International Law Handbook 2013 update
Domestic Implementation Project
In July 2015, BIICL and PEIC initiated a follow-up research Study, in order to analyse the domestic implementation of the international legal frameworks protecting education in insecurity and armed conflict. The Study, which covers the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, will focus in particular on Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon.
Copies of the Summary and Report are available here:
Protecting Education in the Middle East and North Africa Region - Executive Summary
Protecting Education in the Middle East and North Africa Region - Full Report
Related Research Projects
Following the publication of the Handbook, BIICL undertook a study of reparations for education-related violations in insecurity and armed conflict. Published in 2013, this Report on Education and the Law of Reparations in Insecurity and Armed Conflict, is available here.
In addition to the research undertaken by BIICL on the topic, the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights has also completed a study of the practice and contribution of UN human rights mechanisms to the protection of education in times of insecurity and armed conflict. This study is available here
