DIILS led a Law of Armed Conflict and Human Rights Seminar in Colombia from 4 – 6 June, with over 35 Colombian military and civilian MoD attorneys, as well as lawyers from the Colombian Police forces that operate with their military forces.

The DIILS team, through presentations, video-based instruction and exercises, focused on the law of internal and international armed conflict, rules for the use of force and rules of engagement, transparency in military justice and the application of human rights to the full spectrum of conflict.

The Colombian presenters focused on the legal aspects of the current conflict there and the measures Colombia has taken to ensure compliance with applicable national and international law in their operations against the FARC and other criminal groups in Colombia.  The Colombian lawyers and officers stressed the need for compliance with human rights in military operations in support of their government’s goal to end the conflict.  The seminar was conducted in Armenia, Colombia because, due to the ongoing conflict with the FARC, it was a more accessible location than Bogota for many of the attendees.