ISMLLW

The 1st session of our 9th Bruges Conference discussed the non-intervention principle in today’s world 🌎. The session was chaired by @fonsvanheusden and featured Prof. Marko Milanovic, Prof. (Em.) Terry D. Gill and Ms. Lauren Kenis as speakers.

During the 2nd session, chaired by Prof. (Em.) Terry D. Gill, Mr. Loïc Mertens presented the Belgian position on the application of international law in the cyber domain and Commander Kat Aubrey-Horvath shared Canadian perspectives on cyber operations law.

The 3rd session was chaired by Prof. (Em.) W. Heintschel von Heinegg, President of the @ISMLLW and explored the topic of ‘Dealing with the Shadow Fleet in accordance with International and National Law’. Corvette Captain J. Van Overloop and Prof. V. Eboli shared their insights.

Session 4 was chaired by Col. (Ret.) C. De Cock (@ugent & VUB) and featured presentations on total defence by Col. B. Hubrechtsen (@BelgiumDefence), Brigadier-General M. Tilby (@SwedenNato) & Dr. H. Cuyckens (Netherlands Defence Academy). The latter covered IHL perspectives.

Next one-day conference 👇 Brussels, 4 December 2025 Air Warfare on the Modern Battlefield and New Technologies: Is There a Need to Amend the AMW Manual? For more information, see ismllw-be.org

The 1st session of our 8th Bruges Conference discussed aspects of international law related to the defense of sovereignty & territorial integrity in cases such as aerial incursions, unauthorized border crossings by armed personnel, & non-innocent passage through territorial seas.

Session 7 of our Bruges conference, featuring Prof. Vaios Koutroulis (@CDI_ULB) and Marijke Peys (@RodeKruisVL), discussed topical issues associated with long distance warfare and in particular the development and use of autonomous weapons, from an IHL perspective.

Dr. Martin Faix (Palacky University) presenting his University’s Centre for International Humanitarian and Operational Law and its activities during our 8th ‘Silent leges inter arma?’ Conference held in Bruges. We thank the CIHOL for having been a Supporting Partner of the event.

Session 6 of our Bruges conference looked into topics of international criminal law. @ISMLLW Vice-President Dr. Maurizio Block chaired the session, and Dr. Giulia Pinzauti (@UniLeidenNews) presented on immunities, while Prof. Steven Dewulf (@RMA_Belgium) talked about ecocide.

Session 4 dealt with the important topic of military objectives in the modern world. This session was chaired by Prof. Em. Terry Gill and featured presentations by Eirini Giorgou (@ICRC), @luigidaniele10 and Arjen Vermeer (Netherlands Defence Academy).

The 3rd session of last week’s conference in Bruges 🇧🇪 was chaired by Pieter Byttebier (CCB) and discussed the cyber and quantum domain. This fascinating session featured Petra Florizoone (@IBM) & Colonel Eric Pouw (Netherlands Defence Academy).

The 2nd session of our Bruges conference discussed the law of occupation and current State practice. Thanks to Prof. Nata Kalandarishvili-Mueller (@AlteUniversity), Dr. Nele Verlinden (@ICRC) & @SchuberthSophie for sharing their insights! Dr. Hanne Cuyckens chaired the session.

During last week’s 8th ‘Silent leges inter arma?’ Conference in Bruges, participants were warmly welcomed and encouraged by Alderman @pietermarechal in the magnificent Gothic Hall of the City Hall. We are grateful for the support given by @StadBrugge to our international event.