Less than one month left to apply for participation in the 7th ‘Silent leges inter arma?’ conference (Bruges, 17-20 September 2024)! The rich detailed program is available online. Event organized by our 🇧🇪 Group with support of our 🇳🇱 Group, Lieber Institute for Law and Warfare & U.S. Naval War College.

🚨FREE CONTENT: We have opened temporary access to a specially curated selection of key articles from MLLWR that explores the use of new technologies. Click here to find out more and for a full table of contents createsend.com/t/r-07F9F8BBB9…

Free articles from The Military Law and the Law of War Review ISMLLW on the use of emerging and disruptive technologies #EDTs #Law #Military #Conflict #Security #Defence #War

Conference: VII "Silent leges inter arma?" Conference dlvr.it/TBh3Bc

Submissions to MLLWR edited by Magda S Pacholska are currently open! Click here for more information and to find out how to submit an article 🛜 createsend.com/t/r-2D79598258…

The Lieber Institute is proud to support the ISMLLW "Silent leges inter arma?" conference, Sept 17-20, 2024, in Bruges, Belgium. This event will bring together experts to explore emerging topics in the Law of Armed Conflict & International Law. Mike Schmitt #IHL

My thoughts on how States may want to address risks to civilians posed by the “cyber attack” and “data as an object” debates; discussed them at the ISMLLW-BE ISMLLW annual conference in Bruges yesterday.

Last Tuesday evening, Alderman Jasper Pillen welcomed participants of the 7th ‘Silent leges inter arma?’ Conference on behalf of the Stad Brugge in the Gothic room of the City Hall of Bruges. His inspiring speech and an icebreaker in the parlors marked the start of our event.

On Wednesday morning, General Frederik Vansina, Chief of Defence Belgian Defence 🇧🇪 , delivered a much appreciated keynote speech on the occasion of the 7th ‘Silent leges inter arma?’ conference’ in Bruges. He was introduced by the ISMLLW-BE President, Mr. Ludwig Van Der Veken.

The first panel of our Bruges conference was chaired by Prof. Vaios Koutroulis (Centre de droit international - ULB). Mr. Philippe Stoll, Senior Techplomacy Delegate at the ICRC and Mike Schmitt shared their analyses on protecting civilians against digital threats .

Yesterday’s first session discussed topical legal issues related to maritime operations. The session was chaired by Captain (Navy) Dr. Martin Fink (Netherlands Defence Academy) and featured Commander Caroline Tucket (Royal Navy 🇬🇧) and Dr. Matteo Tondini, Naval Staff College 🇮🇹).

The 3rd session of our Bruges conference focused on current trends and legal debates in the cyber domain. Tom Ruys chaired a fascinating panel featuring Karen De Vos (Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies) and Geert Baudewijns (Secutec_BE).

Dr. Hanna Bourgeois (Belgian Defence) introduced Rastislav Spac (European External Action Service - EEAS 🇪🇺) as chair of a session on #IHL & Human Rights, and in particular the role of systemic integration & lex specialis. Prof. Raphael Van Steenberghe (UCLouvain) & Jens Claerman shared their insights.

Yesterday’s last session analyzed the right to freedom of speech of the soldier. Emmanuel Jacob chaired a panel and Mariette Hughes (Service Complaints Ombudsman for the Armed Forces) and 1LT Yoren Beyens (Belgian Defence) presented their views on the topic.

This morning’s insightful session under the chairmanship of Borja Montes Toscano (SHAPE_NATO Allied Command Operations Office of Legal Affairs). Col Dr. Peter B.M.J. Pijpers delved into the specificities disinformation and its legal aspects.

Today’s last session in Bruges dealt with the complex topic of the internationalization of non-international armed conflicts. Sophisticated expert presentations by Kubo Mačák and Dr Katharine Fortin - @katharinefortin.bsky.social.

The last presentation of the 7th ‘Silent Leges Inter Arma?’ Conference was given by General Counsel Carrie F. Ricci (U.S. Army) on the civilian harm mitigation and response action plan of the U.S. Department of Defense.

The 8th iteration of this conference will take place in Bruges from 16–19 September 2025. The Belgian Group of the ISMLLW looks forward to welcoming participants next year!

ISMLLW We thank the institutional partners of the 7th ‘Silent Leges Inter Arma?’ Conference for their contribution to the success of our event: the Dutch Group of the ISMLLW, the Lieber Institute for Law and Warfare and the U.S. Naval War College.