Bonnie Docherty
Director of IHRC's Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative
Senior Clinical Instructor
Lecturer on Law
Bonnie Docherty is a Lecturer on Law at the International Human Rights Clinic and Director of its Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative. She is also a Senior Arms Advisor in the Arms Division of Human Rights Watch.
Docherty has done extensive work in the field of humanitarian disarmament as lawyer, field researcher, and scholar. She played a key role in the negotiations of the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, providing legal advice to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), which received the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. She was deeply involved in the negotiations of the 2022 political declaration on explosive weapons in populated areas and the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. She continues to work on the implementation of these instruments.
Docherty’s many publications have helped shaped civil society arguments for a new treaty on autonomous weapons systems, and she has spearheaded efforts to strengthen international law on incendiary weapons.
In addition to disarmament and other civilian protection issues, Docherty has expertise in the field of human rights and the environment. She has developed principles for addressing the environmental impacts of armed conflict, examined the effects of mining on disadvantaged and indigenous communities, and written about the problem of climate change migration.
Docherty received her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her A.B. from Harvard University. Docherty worked full-time at Human Rights Watch before joining IHRC in 2005. Prior to law school, she spent three years as a journalist.
Recent News
Explosive Weapons' Dire Impact on Cultural Heritage
International Human Rights Clinic | Apr 21, 2024
The Harvard Gazette: ‘Killer robots’ are coming, and U.N. is worried
Liz Mineo | Jan 16, 2024
From War to Freedom in a Wheelchair: A Syrian Refugee’s Story of Survival
Talish Babaian, JD ’25, International Human Rights Clinic | Nov 20, 2023
Implementing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons: Clinic Recommends Next Steps
Jacqulyn Kantack, JD ’24, Harvard Law School International Human Rights Clinic | Nov 02, 2023
New Humanitarian Disarmament Resource Launched: Harvard ACCPI Brochure
Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative (ACCPI) | Oct 30, 2023
Rachel Reed, Harvard Law Today | Aug 09, 2023
Clinic Publications
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Apr 21, 2024
Advancing Articles 6 and 7 of the TPNW: Implementation, Reporting, and a Trust Fund
International Human RIghts Clinic | Nov 02, 2023
2023 Humanitarian Disarmament Brochure
Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative (ACCPI) | Oct 30, 2023
Incendiary Weapons: Recent Developments and Use
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | May 30, 2023
International Human Rights Clinic | May 18, 2023
Review of the 2023 US Policy on Autonomy in Weapon Systems
International Human Rights Clinic & Human Rights Watch | Feb 16, 2023
International Human Rights Clinic | Jan 13, 2023
An Agenda for Action: Alternative Processes for Negotiating a Killer Robots Treaty
International Human Rights Clinic & Human Rights Watch | Nov 15, 2022
Unchecked Harm: The Need for Global Action on Incendiary Weapons
International Human Rights Clinic & Human Rights Watch | Nov 08, 2022
International Human Rights Clinic & Human Rights Watch | Oct 26, 2022
Facing Fallout Principles for Environmental Remediation of
Nuclear Weapons Contamination
| Jun 15, 2022
Analysis of the Draft Political Declaration on the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Apr 07, 2022
Bonnie Docherty | Dec 01, 2021
Areas of Alignment: Common Visions for a Killer Robots Treaty
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Aug 02, 2021
The Case for Condemnation: Denouncing All Use of Cluster Munitions
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Apr 22, 2021
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Feb 23, 2021
Implementing the Convention on Cluster Munitions
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Dec 02, 2020
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Nov 16, 2020
New Weapons, Proven Precedent: Elements of and Models for a Treaty on Killer Robots
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Oct 22, 2020
Confronting Conflict Pollution: Assisting Victims of Toxic Remnants of War
International Human Rights Clinic & Conflict and Environment Observatory | Sep 30, 2020
The Need for and Elements of a New Treaty on Fully Autonomous Weapons
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Jun 25, 2020
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Jun 11, 2020
Analysis of the Draft Political Declaration on the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Apr 25, 2020
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Feb 13, 2020
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Nov 12, 2019
Humanitarian Disarmament, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and Japan
Bonnie Docherty, International Human Rights Clinic | Sep 04, 2019
Humanitarian Disarmament Brochure
Bonnie Docherty, Jillian Rafferty, and Wim Zwijnenburg; Armed Conflict & Civilian Protection Initiative | Aug 23, 2019
Submission to Alþingi Inquiry into Resolution 57/149, “Bann við kjarnorkuvopnum”
International Human Rights Clinic | Apr 30, 2019
International Human Rights Clinic | Apr 30, 2019
International Human Rights Clinic | Apr 30, 2019
Myths and Realities About Incendiary Weapons
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Nov 16, 2018
Humanitarian Disarmament Conference Summary
Armed Conflict and Civilian Protection Initiative | Oct 12, 2018
International Human Rights Clinic | Jun 25, 2018
International Human Rights Clinic | Jun 25, 2018
International Human Rights Clinic | Jun 07, 2018
Nuclear Umbrella Arrangements and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
International Human Rights Clinic | Jun 07, 2018
Environmental Remediation Under the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
International Human Rights Clinic | Apr 11, 2018
Victim Assistance Under the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons
International Human Rights Clinic | Apr 11, 2018
An Overdue Review: Addressing Incendiary Weapons in the Contemporary Context
The International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Dec 08, 2017
Environmental Remediation in the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty: A Comprehensive and Detailed Approach
International Human Rights Clinic & Article 36 | Jun 30, 2017
Operating Under Fire: The Effects of Explosive Weapons on Health Care in the East of Ukraine
International Human Rights Clinic, PAX | May 11, 2017
Environmental remediation in the nuclear weapons ban treaty
The International Human Rights Clinic, Article 36 | Apr 25, 2017
Making the Case: The Dangers of Killer Robots and the Need for a Preemptive Ban
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Dec 09, 2016
Time to Act Against Incendiary Weapons
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Dec 08, 2016
International Human Rights Clinic | Oct 08, 2016
Losing Control: The Dangers of Killer Robots
Bonnie Docherty; in The Conversation | Aug 08, 2016
Killer Robots and the Concept of Meaningful Human Control
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Apr 11, 2016
Tackling Tough Calls: Lessons from Recent Conflicts on Hostile Intent and Civilian Protection
International Human Rights CLinic | Mar 01, 2016
From Condemnation to Concrete Action: A Five-Year Review of Incendiary Weapons
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Nov 08, 2015
Making a Commitment: Paths to Curbing the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas
International Human Rights Clinic & Human Rights Watch | Jun 19, 2015
Mind the Gap: Lack of Accountability for 'Killer Robots'
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Apr 24, 2015
ACKNOWLEDGE, AMEND, ASSIST: Addressing Civilian Harm Caused by Armed Conflict and Armed Violence
Harvard Law School Human Rights Program and Action on Armed Violence | Apr 15, 2015
Incendiary Weapons: Recent Use and Growing Opposition
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Nov 02, 2014
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Sep 08, 2014
The Human Rights Implications of 'Killer Robots'
Bonnie Docherty; Jurist | Aug 11, 2014
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Aug 03, 2014
Shaking the Foundation: The Human Rights Implications of Killer Robots
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | May 14, 2014
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Nov 13, 2013
Fully Autonomous Weapons: Questions and Answers
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Oct 30, 2013
Assistance Overdue: Ongoing Needs of Civilian Victims of Nepal's Armed Conflict
International Human Rights Clinic. Lead author: Bonnie Docherty | Oct 02, 2013
Review of the 2012 US Policy on Autonomy in Weapons Systems
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Apr 11, 2013
Government Positions on Protocol III on Incendiary Weapons
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Nov 11, 2012
Losing Humanity: The Case Against Killer Robots
Joint publication: Human Rights Watch, International Human Rights Clinic | Nov 06, 2012
Joint publication: International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Oct 06, 2012
Explosive Situation: Qaddafi’s Abandoned Weapons and the Threat to Libya’s Civilians
Joint publication: International Human Rights Clinic, Center for Civilians in Conflict, and The Center for American Progress | Oct 06, 2012
Incendiary Weapons: Government Positions and Practices
Joint publication: International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Apr 07, 2012
Legal Foundations for Making Amends to Civilians Harmed by Armed Conflict
International Human Rights Clinic. Lead authors: Andrew Childers, Anna Lamut, and Bonnie Docherty | Feb 08, 2012
Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas
Joint publication: International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Nov 08, 2011
Joint publication: International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Nov 08, 2011
Strengthening the Humanitarian Protections of Protocol III on Incendiary Weapons
Joint publication: International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Aug 08, 2011
The Human Suffering Caused by Incendiary Munitions
International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Mar 11, 2011
Joint publication: International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Jan 08, 2011
Meeting the Challenge: Protecting Civilians Through the Convention on Cluster Munitions
Human Rights Watch. Lead author: Bonnie Docherty | Nov 08, 2010
Convention on Cluster Munitions: Q & A on Interoperability and the Prohibition on Assistance
Joint publication: International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Nov 08, 2010
The Need to Re-Visit Protocol III on Incendiary Weapons
Joint publication: International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Nov 08, 2010
Bearing the Burden: The Effects of Mining on the Rights of First Nations in British Columbia.
International Human Rights Clinic. Lead authors: Bonnie Docherty, Susannah Knox, Lauren Pappone, and Anne Siders | Oct 08, 2010
Joint publication: International Human Rights Clinic, Human Rights Watch | Jun 21, 2010
Joint publication: International Human Rights Clinic, International Association of Lawyers against Nuclear Weapons | May 08, 2009
A Dying Practice: Use of Cluster Munitions by Russia and Georgia in August 2008
Human Rights Watch. Lead author: Bonnie Docherty | Apr 08, 2009
Flooding South Lebanon: Israel's Use of Cluster Munitions in Lebanon in July and August 2006
International Human Rights Clinic and Human Rights Watch | Feb 15, 2008
Flooding South Lebanon: Israel’s Use of Cluster Munitions in Lebanon in July and August 2006
Human Rights Watch. Lead author: Bonnie Docherty | Feb 08, 2008
User State Responsibility for Cluster Munitions Clearance
Human Rights Watch, International Human Rights Clinic | Feb 08, 2008
All that Glitters: Gold Mining in Guyana
International Human Rights Clinic. Lead author: Bonnie Docherty | Mar 08, 2007
“We Are Now Hoping for Death”: Grave Human Rights Abuses in Gambella, Ethiopia
International Human Rights Clinic. Lead author: Bonnie Docherty | Dec 01, 2006