Book

Humanitarian law in action within Africa

Jennifer Moore

Oxford [etc.] : Oxford University Press, 2012

XI, 360 p. ; 24 cm

978-0-19-985696-1

English

Index

In Humanitarian law in action within Africa, Jennifer Moore studies the role and application of humanitarian law by focusing on African countries that are emerging form civil wars. Moore offers an overview of international law, and describes four particular subfields relevant to the resolution of armed conflict : international humanitarian law, international human rights law, international criminal law, and international refugee law. Building on this legal foundation, Moore considers practical mechanisms to implement international humanitarian law, focusing specifically on the experience of Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Burundi. Through the case studies of these countries, Moore identifies three fundamental components of transitional justice : criminal, social, and historical. Although the African continent has gone through some of the world's greatest humanitarian emergencies, issues such as violence against women, child soldiers, and genocide are not unique to Africa, and as such, the study of humanitarian law by examining Africa's experience is important to conflict resolution and reconstruction throughout the world.