Detention by Non-State Armed Groups under International Law

During armed conflict non-State armed groups deprive individuals of their liberty. While this is not a new phenomenon its pervasiveness is reflected by recent examples in Colombia Libya Syria Ukraine Mali and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Yet examining these activities goes beyond its mere acknowledgment. It involves questions concerning their legality and the non-State armed groups'' motivations when depriving individuals of their liberty. Drawing on his personal experiences while working for various humanitarian organizations Ezequiel Heffes aims at elucidating how international law can be used as a protective tool in relation to individuals placed in detention by non-State armed groups. Based on case studies of selected groups and a normative and doctrinal analysis he proposes minimum humanitarian principles applicable to those situations. By addressing a contemporary issue that touches upon a number of legal regimes this study makes a valuable contribution to the law applicable in armed conflict.