Modern international armed conflicts are fought not only on the battlefield, but also in cyberspace. Cyber operations have become an everyday tool in modern international armed conflicts. The use of new technologies is changing not only the daily lives of millions of people, but also the means of warfare.
The course will address issues related to the application of international law, especially IHL, to cyber operations and to cyberspace in general. Particular attention will be paid to the peculiarities of qualifying cyber operations as cyber attacks, taking into account both the provisions of the UN Charter and IHL. Attention will be paid to the definition of data and whether data can be considered as an object under IHL. The application of the principles of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity to cyber operations will also be discussed, as well as the protection of civilians.
Taking into account the great damage that can be caused by cyber attacks, the possibility of qualifying cyber attacks as a war crime or a crime of aggression will be considered, as well as the possibility of investigating cyber enabled crimes by the ICC Office of the Prosecutor.
- Teacher: Daryna Abbakumova
- Teacher: Michiel Hoornick