Upcoming Events

Quick Links

Current S.J.D. Students

MUHAMMAD NADEEM AZAM, Pakistan
S.J.D. Candidate

Dissertation
"International Humanitarian Law and Its Responses to the War on Terror"

This dissertation seeks to establish that existing norms of international humanitarian law, largely codified in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols of 1977, provide adequate legal framework to combat terrorism. The history of international humanitarian law shows that it was created in response to the need to protect people from abuse during armed conflict. Its aim is to minimize unnecessary suffering by regulating the conduct of hostilities and the treatment of persons in the conflict. Since international humanitarian law applies only in times of armed conflict, critics have observed that international humanitarian law has failed to keep up with the changing nature of armed conflict. They say that it is inadequate to address modern-day needs to combat terrorism. As such, they espouse the application of more restrictive regimes of international and domestic criminal law to fill the gaps. This dissertation intends to present the extent to which international humanitarian law may be applied in the "war on terror," and to recommend ways to reduce human suffering where humanitarian law does not apply to the new forms of armed conflict.

WCL Faculty Advisor
Professor Robert Goldman

Anticipated Graduation Year
2010

Academic Credentials
American University, Washington College of Law, S.J.D. Candidate

Professional Experience
Director, UP Center for Human Rights Studies, University of Peshawar, Pakistan
Assistant Professor, Law College, University of Peshawar, Pakistan
Editor, Journal of Law and Society, Law College, University of Peshawar, March 2007-present
Member, Proctorial Board, University of Peshawar, September 2006-present
Member, Board of Studies, Law College, University of Peshawar, March 2006-present

Publications
"Trends of the Judiciary in Pakistan in Granting Custody of Children," Family Laws Manual in Pakistan, Shirkat Gah Lahore, 1994.
"Role of the Superior Judiciary in Pakistan in Developing Democratic Institutions, an Analysis of Case Law from 1947-1992," Journal of Law and Society, Vol. XI, No. 18, 1992.

Fields of Study and Professional Expertise
International Humanitarian Law
Public International Law
Comparative Constitutional Law
International Refugee Law

Additional Information
Languages: Pashto, English, Urdu

View profiles of our other S.J.D. candidates and alumni!