The relevance of Dr. Bosi’s presentation in the current moment can hardly be overstated, given the number of active armed conflicts worldwide and the alarmist discussions questioning the relevance of international humanitarian law (IHL) in the face of overt violations by states and other actors. As Dr. Bosi set out in her introduction, the topic of “healthcare” in conflict covers a huge range of issues, including medical provision for the war wounded, access to health services for chronically ill civilians during wartime, protection of medical personnel and infrastructure, access to medical supplies, and trauma and mental health. Yet the image it most readily calls to mind is the bombardment of hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

The presentation therefore focused on the general IHL framework governing the status of medical units (hospitals and similar facilities) during armed conflict. Dr. Bosi explained that medical units enjoy special protection under IHL, but may exceptionally become legitimate targets in specific circumstances, namely when they are used for “acts harmful to the enemy” and “outside their humanitarian function.” Even then, she emphasised, the core IHL principles continue to apply: attacks must be proportionate.

Despite the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2286 on healthcare in armed conflict in 2016, the past decade has seen a continued rise in violations of these essential rules. Dr. Bosi explained that this is due to a lack of political will for transparency and investigation. Parties are unwilling to disclose the sensitive military information that guides their targeting decisions, which makes it highly challenging to assess the justifications offered for attacks on healthcare and to hold those who violate IHL to account.

The presentation was followed by a discussion with MA students, PhD students and teaching staff from across the EIB’s disciplinary spectrum, touching on issues at the intersection with international criminal law, as well as the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence and new technologies in armed conflict.

Giulia Bosi is a Postdoctoral Researcher and Lecturer in International Law at Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy.