Not the Usual Suspects: Religious Leaders as Influencers of International Humanitarian Law Compliance

Ioana Cismas and Ezequiel Heffes, “Not the Usual Suspects: Religious Leaders as Influencers of International Humanitarian Law Compliance”, Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law Vol. 22: 70 Years Geneva Conventions: Past, Present and Future (2020 Forthcoming)

27 Pages Posted: 27 Apr 2020

See all articles by Ioana Cismas

Ioana Cismas

University of York - York Law School

Ezequiel Heffes

Independent

Date Written: April 2020

Abstract

It is undeniable that the effectiveness of international humanitarian law (IHL) faces challenges from different quarters. To address these, humanitarian organizations have, in the main, pursued a direct engagement strategy with the parties to a conflict. Although this has remained the dominant strategy to date, in the last two decades the humanitarian sector has, on an ad hoc basis and without the benefit of a solid evidence base, engaged other societal actors identified as having the potential to influence parties to armed conflict, and among them religious leaders. This chapter addresses the role of these leaders in influencing compliance (or lack thereof) with IHL by States and non-State armed groups. In particular, two issues are explored: 1) what makes religious leaders influential among their constituencies?, and 2) how can they be useful actors to increase respect for IHL in armed conflict?

Keywords: Religious Leaders, Compliance, International Humanitarian Law, Legitimacy, Humanitarian Engagement

Suggested Citation

Cismas, Ioana and Heffes, Ezequiel, Not the Usual Suspects: Religious Leaders as Influencers of International Humanitarian Law Compliance (April 2020). Ioana Cismas and Ezequiel Heffes, “Not the Usual Suspects: Religious Leaders as Influencers of International Humanitarian Law Compliance”, Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law Vol. 22: 70 Years Geneva Conventions: Past, Present and Future (2020 Forthcoming), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3565896

Ioana Cismas (Contact Author)

University of York - York Law School ( email )

University of York
Heslington, York YO10
United Kingdom

Ezequiel Heffes

Independent ( email )

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