Open lecture on International Humanitarian Law

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), also known as the law of war or armed conflict, aims to minimize the humanitarian impact of warfare. It protects those not participating in hostilities and regulates the means and methods of warfare. A key part of IHL is the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their two Additional Protocols, which most countries are bound by. Laos ratified the Conventions in 1956.
In Laos, a significant challenge to IHL is the issue of unexploded ordnance (UXO), particularly cluster munitions left over from the Laotian Civil War (1959–1975). Between 1964 and 1973, the U.S. dropped over two million tons of cluster bombs, 30% of which failed to detonate. The conflict caused a high toll for Laos which is continuing to increase with casualties and disabilities among the population caused by unexploded bombs that remained after the war.
To address this, Ms. Charlotte Imhof, ILSA Programme/Legal Officer, delivered an open lecture on IHL and UXO at the Faculty of Law and Political Science in Laos. She discussed key IHL principles and raised four critical questions: How should the Laotian Civil War be qualified? Was it lawful to target civilians or use cluster bombs? What are the legal responsibilities for UXO damage?
The lecture covered IHL principles such as distinction, military necessity, proportionality, and the prohibition of unnecessary suffering. Students explored how these principles apply to the Laotian context, particularly the legality of targeting civilians, the use of “bombies”, and the legal frameworks governing such weapons, including the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The session also addressed the long-term liability for the damage caused by unexploded bombs. The lecture concluded with a discussion on the enduring impact of UXO in Laos and the broader application of IHL.