PROJECT RELATED GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION-

P.G.DIPLOMA IN INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

BACKGROUND:

The Teaching and Evaluation methods of PG Diploma programmes of NALSAR Proximate

Education has strong emphasis on imparting the research and writing skills to the candidates
through projects. Accordingly, each module, which is a paper for the final examination requires
the candidate to submit a project, related to the module. The Projects carry 25 marks maximum
and there is no minimum. However the candidate has to score 50 marks aggregate relating to
the Grade B to qualify for the award of the Diploma. The aggregate is based on:

75 marks on the written exam at the end of the course

25 marks for the project

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES

1. The projects should have some linkage with the theme of the module or in other words each
project (total 4 projects) should relate to the 4 module. A list of suggested topics relating to
each module is given at the end.
2. The Projects should be an average size of 25-40 pages.
3. The projects can be submitted online via e-mail attachment.
4. Each project will have clear title page mentioning the pg. Diploma programme –Branch (e.g.
Post –Graduate Diploma in International Humanitarian Law) with the name of the Candidate
and the ID Number and the batch ( e.g. 2002-03) MODULE OF THE PROJECT
(Eg..MODULE 1)
5. The Project to be in word format (any other format like PDF will not be accepted) to be typed
in Times Roman font size 11 or Arial font size 10 with one and half line spacing.
6. The Project are evaluated on the following criteria

a. Title 2
b. Introduction 2
c. Methodology 2
d. Content 6
e. Analysis and Arrangement 5
f. Case Laws 3
g. Foot notes 2
h. Bibliography or references 3

Total 25 marks

7. All the four projects should reach as hard copy or as softcopy by e-mail on or before
deadline to the Barkatpura office addressed to the coordinator (by mail to be submitted to
projects_nalsarpro@yahoo.com and cc to nalsarpro@yahoo.co.in)

8. Projects submitted after the deadline will have a penalty of reduction of 1 mark per day up to
7 days and thereupon will not be taken up for correction which means the candidate will
loose 25 marks )

9. It is the responsibility of the candidate to submit them in time and any delay in e-mail delivery
or postal delivery is at the risk of the candidate. The candidate will be acknowledged of the
project submission only via e-mail.

10. The candidates can choose from the topics given herewith or can choose outside but should
be relevant to the module.

11.The Candidates will be allotted guides based on the modules and can choose to contact by e-
mail to clarify doubts on the topic, research procedures, source of materials etc. The guides
however will not evaluate the projects. The Guides will interact only through e-mail and the
candidates are advised to consult them consolidating their queries together. )

Module I – Introduction to IHL –

Dr. V.Balakista Reddy, Associate Professor, NALSAR University Hyderabad.
Email id: balakistareddy@yahoo.com

Module II – Protection of Defenseless Victims of War and Armed Conflicts –

Prof. V. Vijaya Kumar, Registrar, National Law University of India, Bangalore
Email id: vijayakumar@nls.ac.in

Module III – Means and Methods of Warfare – Prof.R. Venkata Rao,

Professor of Law, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam.
E-mail id: profrao@yahoo.com

Module IV – Implementation of IHL – Dr. V Seshaiah Shasthri, Assistant Professor, Faculty

of Law, National Law University, Jodhpur
E-mail id: shasthrivs@gmail.com

11. It is presumed that all project works of the candidates are their own work and is not copied
from other projects. If the examiners come to conclude the project is copied, the candidate
will not be awarded any marks and the project will be invalidated.
 SUGGESTED TOPICS – MODULEWISE

The learners are advised that the assignment topics suggested are only illustrative & not
exhaustive. If they have, any problem or a practical issue on hand in which they are involved
NALSAR would permit the learner to choose their own topic, with the consultation of the course
coordinator/guide.

MODULE 1- INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

1. Legal Aspects of UN Peace Keeping

2. Sending Indian Forces to Iraq for Peace Keeping : Legal and Political Perspectives
3. Impact of War Conflict on Children : A study Child Soldiers : Issues in International
Humanitarian Law Management of Refugees during Armed Conflict : Issues
4. Legal and Political Justification of US intervention in Iraq
5. Environmental issues in the conduct of War
6. Linkages between International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law
7. Conflict induced displacement : Issues and trends in India
8. Terrorism in International Humanitarian Law : Issues and trends
9. Terrorism in South Asia : Contemporary Developments
10. Universal Jurisdiction under International Humanitarian Law : A study
11. Prisoners of War, International Humanitarian Law and Contemporary developments : A
study
12. Protection of civilian during armed conflict and contemporary international law : issues
and trends
13. Principles of International Humanitarian Law and Indian legal regime : A study
14. Should India ratify the Additional Protocols of 1977 to Geneva Conventions, 1949 : A
critique
15. Linkages between International Refugee Law and International Humanitarian Law : A
study Problems of Land Mines and Developments in International Law : A study
16. Ancient Indian Laws of War and International Humanitarian Law : A comparative analysis
MODULE 2- PROTECTION OF VICTIMS OF WAR AND ARMED CONFLICTS

1. Role of ICRC in the Protection of Civilian Populations affected by Conflict

2. Concept of “Fundamental Guarantees” and their application to non-combatants under the

Humanitarian Law

3. Who is a non-combatant? What are the necessary legal requirements to accord the
status of a non-combatant?

4. Legal Status of the medical personnel during conflicts

5. Philosophical bases of the idea of “humane treatment” of the victims of war

6. Legal Status of the Prisoners of War and the Nature of obligations of the state parties

7. The concept of “Crimes against humanity” in Humanitarian Law

8. Protection of Women and Children

9. Obligations of state parties in the occupation of alien territories

10. Rights of Civilians under the Occupied territories

11. An Assessment of role of ICRC in setting standards for the protection of victims of war

12. Rights of Stateless people under the humanitarian law

MODULE 3- LIMITATIONS ON MEANS AND METHODS OF WARFARE

1. Protection of Civilians in Non-International Armed conflict: Issues & Trends in India

2. Measures relating to protection of children during War : Contemporary Developments in

International Law and relations

3. Presenting the recruitment of child soldiers: Issues and Trends

4. Geneva Conventions &the Protection of Civilian objects : a Critique

5. Convergence of Int.Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law in the protection of civilians

during War: A Study

6. Int. Humanitarian Law and protecting Power systems : A critique

7. Protection of Civilian population in the power of enemy: A study

8. Protection of Environment during Gulf War: A study

9. Protection of Women in IHL: A study

10. Treatment of captured child soldiers : A study

11. Proliferation of small arms: Int.Law, issues and trends
12. Proliferation of small arms: International Law, issues and trends
13. Weapons of Mass destruction and contemporary Int. Law : a Study
14. Biological weapons & Justification of intervention in Int.Law in Iraq: a study
15. Implementing Intl.Law: Problems & Prospectus
16. Role of UN Peace Keeping forces: A study
17. Right to passage & Int. Sea warfare: issues and trends
18. Mining international passage routes and canals-contemporary developments in Int.Law:
A study
19. Protection of cultural properties in times of war: A critique
20. Protectiion of cultural properties in times of war –Afghanistan –a case study
21. Non Proliferation Treaties & IHL: a critique
MODULE 4- IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

1.Distinction of Internal and International Armed Conflicts in the context of implementation of

humanitarian standards for the protection of civilians.

1. Scope of Cultural Objects and extent of Protection available under the International
Humanitarian Law.

2. Scope of ENMOD Convention and protection of environment during the armed conflicts.

3. Scope of Individual Criminal Responsibility for violations of International Humanitarian

Law.
4. Scope and Functional analysis of International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia (ICTY)
through the Case Studies.

5. Functional Review of International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda through Case Analysis.

6. Scope of Safeguards and Rights of accused persons in the Criminal Trials before
International Criminal Tribunals.

7. Substantial Cooperation of Accused in the Criminal Trial as a mitigating factor.

8. Scope of Pre-Sentencing Hearing in International Criminal Trials.

9. Scope of the Principle of Non Bis Idem in the International Criminal Trials for the
implementation of IHL

10. New Dimensions of Crimes against Humanity with special reference to Crimes against
Women in the Trials before the International Criminal Tribunals.

11. Scope of Doctrine of Military Necessity and Protection of Civilian Objects in the
implementation of International Humanitarian Law

12. Protection of Witnesses and Victims in the International Criminal Trials.

13. Critical review of the National Legislation (with special reference to a country or on a
comparative analysis between two countries) in relation to the Implementation of IHL
14. Scope and analysis of the merits and demerits of structure and functions of International
Criminal Courts

15. Role of International Committee of Red Cross in the effective implementation of

International Humanitarian Law.

16. Contribution of General Assembly for the implementation of International Humanitarian

Law