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Protect Civilians from Explosive Weapons

Governments should act on recent political commitments to protect civilians from the bombing and shelling that devastates cities and towns around the world, Harvard Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch said in recently released report.  

Intent to Destroy: Why the World Must Name and Confront Russia’s Genocidal War in Ukraine

Three and a half years have passed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the prospects for peace and security feel slimmer than ever. From the outset, Russia has never sincerely sought peace—only Ukraine’s total submission.

New IHRC + Human Rights Watch Brief: Upholding the Mine Ban Treaty Amid Ukraine’s “Suspension” Threat

The 1997 Mine Ban Treaty and its states parties’ obligations have been a major topic of discussion at the UN General Assembly’s First Committee on Disarmament and International Security this October. Many states have criticized Ukraine’s unprecedented declaration to suspend its obligations under the treaty until its war with Russia ends. States began submitting formal objections to the UN on October 17.
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New Report Urges Stronger Action to End Suffering from Incendiary Weapons 

The Clinic and Human Rights Watch have released a new fact sheet, “Incendiary Weapons: Need for Stronger Law and a New Forum,” which Bonnie Docherty —who works for both the Clinic and Human Rights Watch—is disseminating in New York at the UN General Assembly’s First Committee on Disarmament and International Security. 
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“Killer Robots’ Threaten Human Rights During War, Peace  

Autonomous weapons systems pose grave risks to human rights during both war and peacetime, the International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch said in a recently released report. Governments should tackle the concerns raised by such weapons systems, known as “killer robots,” by negotiating a multinational treaty to address the dangers.  
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International Human Rights Clinic Submits Legal Memorandum to Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General

Russia’s Aerial Attacks on Ukraine Amount to Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes, Perpetrators Must Be Held Accountable, According to Clinic’s Factual Investigation and Legal Analysis.
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New Q&A Released to Aid Discussions on Civilian Protection from Explosive Weapons

Human Rights Watch and Harvard Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic recently released a new question-and-answer document on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. The paper was published in advance of a regional meeting on the topic, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from February 27-28, 2025.
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Clinic Releases Key Recommendations for TPNW Trust Fund

IHRC has published new recommendations for designing an international trust fund on victim assistance and environmental remediation under the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
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Clinic Alumni Reflect on Early Careers and Trends in Human Rights Practice  

A group of recent Clinic alumni whose careers span human rights litigation, documentation, research, and advocacy returned to campus and shared their insights with current students during a panel discussion in September.
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Watch: Human Rights Legal Education: New Frontiers in Social Justice

This event occured as part of Harvard Law School’s Fall 2024 Reunion weekend.Harvard Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this academic year, works at the cutting edge of education and advocacy to drive tangible change in human rights. In this session, clinical faculty and students will share insights about the evolution of human rights…