Event Notice

October 31, 2013

“Acknowledge, Amend, Assist:
Addressing Civilian Harm Caused by Armed Conflict and Armed Violence”

12:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Milstein West B
Wasserstein Hall
Harvard Law School

Lunch Served

The moral imperative to help civilian victims of armed conflict and armed violence has generated widespread international action. While sharing a common goal, the various approaches currently employed sometimes conflict with each other. At this international symposium, representatives of civil society, governments, militaries, and universities will examine similarities and differences among humanitarian responses. Panelists will seek to identify gaps in assistance and areas for future collaboration.

12:00 p.m.  “Victim to Survivor: Influencing International Humanitarian Law”

Keynote address by Kenneth Rutherford, Co-Founder of Landmine Survivors Network and Director of the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery at James Madison University, with introductory remarks from Martha Minow, Morgan and Helen Chu Professor of Law and Dean of Harvard Law School

1:15 p.m. “Legal Frameworks and Context”

− Jacob Beswick, Policy Officer, Oxford Research Group

− Ruben Carranza, Director, Reparative Justice Program, International Center for Transitional Justice

− Sahr MuhammedAlly, Senior Legal and Amends Advisor, Center for Civilians in Conflict

− Majida Rasul, Legal Advisor, Action on Armed Violence

Moderator: Bonnie Docherty, Lecturer on Law, Human Rights Program, Harvard Law School

3:00 p.m. “Principles and Practice”

− Robert Ayasse, Afghanistan Operations Team, NATO HQ

− Megan Burke, International Victim Assistance Specialist, International Campaign to Ban Landmines- Cluster Munition Coalition

− Dr. Hari Bansh Tripathi, Director, Advocacy Forum-Nepal

Moderator: Iain Overton, Director of Policy and Investigations, Action on Armed Violence