[PAST EVENT] Proportionality in Modern Warfare

October 9, 2012
1pm - 2pm
Location
Law School, Room 133
613 S Henry St
Williamsburg, VA 23185Map this location
Proportionality is the legal principle that is perhaps the most ubiqitous in international law. It is at the heart of debates over drone strikes, human shields, and the modern use of law during counterinsurgency operations. This presentation will summarize the various domains within which proportionality provides the governing principle, and will consider in particular the jus in bello shape of the term in juxtaposition to the human rights based articulation of the same concepts. Professor Newton will analyze current applications in COIN operations and will moderate discussion over whether jus in bello usages are an arcane remnant of a bygone era of law, or the appropriate expression of strongly countervailing but ultimately intertwined interests.

Michael Newton is a professor at Vanderbilt Law School and an expert in accountability and conduct in hostilities issues. His experience includes serving as the senior advisor to the Ambassador-at-Large for War Crime Issues in the U.S. State Department and in November 2000, he worked as a senior member of the team that taught international law to the first group of Iraqis regarding accountability mechanisms and a constitutional structure. He also served as the U.S. representative on the UN Planning Mission for the Sierra Leone Special Courtand from January 1999 to August 2000, and served in the State Department's Office of War Crimes Issues.

Professor Newton has also had an extensive and distinguished military career and currently serves as the senior editor of the Terrorism International Case Law Report series.
Contact

If you have any questions, please contact [[e|keimbriglia, Katie Imbriglia]].