International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Human Rights Law (HRL) forms a major part of public international law. International Humanitarian Law is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. International humanitarian law is also known as the law of war or the laws of armed conflict. At the same time, International Human Rights Law (HRL) is committed to promote and protect human rights at the international, regional and domestic level.
The Centre for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights strives to create a research based and an inquisitive platform for students in this area of law and to maintain an academic response to the persisting as well as the contemporary challenges in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law.
To enhance knowledge and understanding of the purpose, substance and scope of IHL and HRL and of the potential of IHL as a tool to achieve and maintain peace and protect rights; and to create awareness of IHL and HRL as part of public international law.
XIV Edition Students’ Conference on International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
The XIV Edition Students Conference on International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights will be held online on March 27, 2026. Organised by the Centre for IHL & HR at the Institute of Law, Nirma University, the conference is themed “World Peace Through Law: Reimagining IHL and the Future of AI in Armed Conflict.” It will explore pressing legal and ethical issues in contemporary warfare, including algorithmic accountability, climate-induced displacement, and the use of digital evidence in prosecuting war crimes.
Theme: “World Peace Through Law: Reimagining IHL and the Future of AI in Armed Conflict”
Sub Themes:
Important Dates:
Registration and Abstract Submission: 05th March, 2026
Intimation of Acceptance: 15th March, 2026
Submission of Working Papers: 20th March, 2026
Date for the Conference: 27th March, 2026
| Expert Session on “Eradication of Torture” | ||
| Conducted on: | : | 20th February 2026 |
| Conducted by: | : | Dr. Adam Dubin, Assistant Professor of Law & Director of the Master’s in International and European Business Law at Universidad Pontificia Comillas |
| About the Session: | : | Throughout the discussion, the audience was presented with various examples of the realities of torture in the modern world, including torture in Indian police stations, ice torture, sexual violence and mutilation, the lack of state accountability, the legal minimisation of torture as simple assault in some countries, and the effects of amnesty laws on preventing justice from being served. Modern-day examples from Kenya, Iran, Spain, and Sudan, as well as literary examples, were also considered to emphasise the human element of impunity. The discussion encouraged the students to engage in informed discussion about the need for greater accountability and international cooperation to eradicate torture. |
| XIII Edition Conference on International Humanitarian Law and Refugee Law | ||
| Conducted on: | : | 11th April 2025 |
| About the Conference | : | The conference delved into the complex realities of modern conflict and its growing implications on Humanitarian and Refugee Law. The discussions focused on how contemporary forms of warfare, such as cyber operations, autonomous weapons, and hybrid conflicts, have blurred traditional legal boundaries, leaving undocumented and displaced refugee communities increasingly vulnerable. The conference critically assessed the effectiveness of universally ratified treaties and conventions in addressing these evolving challenges, especially in light of the dynamic and precarious conditions faced by present-day refugees. While acknowledging the progress made by International Refugee Law in offering legal protection, the event highlighted the urgent need to recognize persisting gaps and rethink existing frameworks to ensure inclusive and adaptive legal safeguards for those most affected by today’s unconventional battlefields. |
| Theme: | : | “Evolving Frontiers of Warfare: Expanding Legal Challenges Beyond Traditional Battlefields” |
| Dignitaries at the Conference: | : |
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| XII National Conference on International Humanitarian and Refugee Law | ||
| Conducted on: | : | 16th February 2024 |
| About the Conference | : | The conference aimed to address the core issues that plague the current state of Humanitarian and Refugee Law. What are the imminent and foresighted challenges encountered by the treaties that have been universally ratified, with a special focus on how efficient current conventions are in safeguarding the interests and addressing the needs of the present-day undocumented refugee community, whose situations are changing dynamically? Further, the conference discussed how International Refugee Law has evolved to provide legal protection for refugees and to address their grievances. However, it mainly focused on the issues that still need to be addressed to provide this protection in full. |
| Theme: | : | “Humanitarian Protection with Evolution of Modern Technology and Global Threats” |
| Dignitaries at the Conference: | : |
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| Name | Designation |
|---|---|
| Dr C. L. Yadav | Head |
| Tanisha Rai | Chairperson |
| Mayank Panchpute | Vice Chairperson |
| Riya Solanki | Secretary |
| Khanak Himanshu Bharadwaj | Treasurer |
| Aarya Tyagi | Editorial Head |
| Prachi Gupta | Core Member |
| Aanshi Dagli | Core Member |
| Sneha Bhadauria | Core Member |
| Shiv Jani | Core Member |
| Agneesh Ray | Core Member |
| Gauri Gupta | Core Member |
| Manul Singh | Core Member |
| Santwana Jadwan | Core Member |
| Jasjyot Kaur Chhabra | Core Member |
| Seher Kulshreshtha | Core Member |
| Supritha Ramakrishnan | Core Member |
| Tanmya Pachwariya | Core Member |
| Harshpreet Kaur | Member |
| Anjali Singh Kharadi | Member |
| M. P. Vignesh | Member |
| Gauri Prasad | Member |
| Apoorva Sharma | Member |
| Shivansh Agarwal | Member |
| Shreyanshi Rawat | Member |
| Mitna Gupta | Member |
| Arshiya Bhargava | Member |
| Abhirami Unni | Member |
| Akshata Shaji | Member |
| Shalini Rath | Member |
| Bhavya Karni Bhati | Member |
| Jiya Chandiramani | Member |
| Kavish Joshi | Member |
| Lavanya Haldankar | Member |
| Vibhuti Jakhar | Member |
| Rohit Vinu | Member |
| Arya Vatsa | Member |
| Dhwani Goplani | Member |
| Aashi Borgohain | Member |
| Kenisha Alkesaria | Member |
| Vidhi Shah | Member |
| Krishna Pandit | Member |
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Mr. Swarnabh Dutta | |
| Ms. Ayushi Kalyan | |
| Ms. Bhavinee Singh | |
| Mr. Aditya Sharma | |
| Ms. Sakshi Mathur |
With the support and cooperation of various stakeholders, the Centre for IHL and HR would initiate:
Centre for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law
Institute of Law, Nirma University
S. G. Highway, Ahmedabad – 382481
Gujarat – INDIA Phone: 91-079- 71652824
Email: cihls@nirmauni.ac.in