Public International Law

Public International Law can neither provide a one-size fits all solution to international or intrastate conflicts, nor is it irrelevant to the issue. Rather, it provides a fragmentary, partially condensed framework, which can not only be used by political decision-makers, but can also be reshaped if necessary. The Research Group Public International Law analyzes the causes, the course and the consequences of international and intrastate conflicts and uses this basis to develop approaches for dealing with such conflicts.

In terms of content, the research group deals both with international legal instruments for establishing international security, in particular (preventive) arms control and the institutions of collective security, in addition to public international law applicable in armed conflicts. Furthermore, the department is particularly interested in fundamental questions of Public International Law - from its history to its sociology. Beyond transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary challenges, the research group contributes its specific jurisprudential competence, which is focused on the connection between facts of living and legal norms. The research group is primarily embedded in PRIF's Research Department International Institutions, but it also takes up questions from the other research departments.

In its projects, the research group benefits from the practical orientation of its head and from their networking in the Hessian university landscape.

Head of Research Group

Thilo Marauhn

Associate Fellows

Kristoffer Burck

Raphaël Cahen

Farnaz Dezfouli Asl

Sannimari Veini

Barry de Vries

Projects

The pilot study aims to identify gaps in current arms control law and investigate the question of whether the containment of nanotechnology under international law requires new treaties. The cross-connection to international humanitarian law and the means and methods of warfare are also of interest.

Arms Control Approaches to Nanotechnology – The Contribution of Public International Law

As part of the Colombian peace process, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supports the development and work of a German-Colombian Peace Institute (Instituto Colombo-Alemán para la Paz - CAPAZ) in Bogotá. The institute has now become the core of a broad academic network within Colombia and between Colombia and Germany. In particular, universities from regions of Colombia that have been most affected by the conflict are also involved.

German-Colombian Peace Institute CAPAZ

As part of the Collaborative Research Centre “Dynamics of Security”, the project examines the historical process of the collectivization of international security under international law. In the current field of tension between multilateralism on the one hand and decollectivization on the other, historical analyses could show whether and how past institutionalizations have shaped the collective perceptions of security amidst tensions in the international order.

The Collectivization of International Security through Processes of Institutionalization in Public International Law

As part of the DFG Collaborative Research Centre “Dynamics of Security”, the project examines the question of whether and under what conditions the securitization of interstate relations leads not only to processes of institutionalization under international law, but also to the collectivization of international security.

Heuristics and Repertoires of Collective Security: A Comparative Analysis in the Field of International Law

The DFG project aims to provide a more systematic overview of the international legal framework applicable to UN police missions. In particular, differences in the police components under international law between military and civilian personnel are to be identified.

UN Policing – Legal Basis, Status and Directives on the Use of Force

The project aims to identify the general contours of the law of fact-finding, taking into account the specifics of armed conflict. In particular, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for better implementation of and compliance with international humanitarian law, as well as the work of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission will be examined.

Fact-Finding in the Law of Armed Conflict