Consider that you are involved in a hypothetical international legal issue. You are an international expert working in the State Department. A special meeting on the violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law during the current conflict in Syria is going to take place in a week at the United Nations and your boss is going to attend the meeting. Your boss has just been appointed to his role in the State Department and does not have any prior knowledge of the above-mentioned laws.

Your boss has given you a list of questions. Your task is to answer the questions briefly and explicitly.

Therefore, for this final exam, please answer the following – and only the following – questions in your own words. As needed, please refer to the exact article(s) of any related treaty(agreement).

1. What is the difference between humanitarian law and human rights law?

2. What is the role of international humanitarian law in non-international armed conflicts?

3. What are the main IHL rules governing hostilities?

4. What does humanitarian law provide for in terms of material assistance to the victims of armed conflict?

5. How does humanitarian law protect refugees and internally displaced persons?

6. What is the ICRC’s role in ensuring respect for humanitarian law?

7. How are suspected war criminals prosecuted under humanitarian law?

8. How are the non-Syrians involved in the internal conflict in Syria protected under IHL?

9. How does humanitarian law adapt to new developments and what is the ICRC’s role in the process?

Please note the following:

• General Basis for Grading: Questions 1, 5, and 9 are 2 points each. The other six questions are 1.5 points each, Answers to the Point, Own Words, Explicit.

• In answering each question, note the question number.

• Be specific. Explain your reasoning and what you mean by them.

• Make sure you proofread your answer and use proper punctuation and grammar. Your writing must be intelligible – otherwise, we cannot give you credit for it.

• You do not need to research outside the book, assigned readings, and lectures.

• Cite the sources.