Law Enforcement and Human Rights in Situations of Violence: IIHL Training Course in English and Arabic, Sanremo, Italy (23-27 November 2026; Apply by 9 November 2026)

The International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL), Sanremo, runs this one-week International Human Rights Law training course through its Military Department at Villa Ormond, Sanremo, from 23 to 27 November 2026.

Through presentations and practical exercises, the course covers the general background of the development of International Human Rights Law (IHRL) before examining in detail the main international and regional human rights systems. It focuses on the responsibility and accountability of police and gendarmerie personnel in the performance of their duties, and specifically covers the use of force, the use of weapons and other police powers, and detention and conditions of detention from a human rights perspective. It also examines the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and how it can assist compliance with IHRL.

• The architecture of public international law; introduction to IHRL and its history; IHRL sources; UDHR, ICCPR and ICESCR.
• IHRL applicability and responsibility, global IHRL bodies and enforcement mechanisms, and a comparison of regional systems.
• Applicability in other operations (peace support, counter piracy, counter terrorism) and accountability.
• Use of force, use of firearms and other police powers, with exercises and discussions.
• Deprivation of liberty, enforced disappearances, detention conditions and treatment, and a detention exercise.
• Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials (CCLEO), new technologies in law enforcement, the Mendez principles for non-coercive investigative interviewing, and the applicability of international legal frameworks to law enforcement operations in armed conflicts.
• Closing keynote by the Head of FAS, ICRC. The full day-by-day timetable and teaching staff are in the official programme.

The course was originally designed for Police and Gendarmerie advisers from the ICRC FAS department, but IIHL states that attendance will benefit anyone involved in the practice or study of policing in situations of violence. The official registration form lists nationalities worldwide, including Indian, and IIHL does not state any nationality restriction.

For the first time this year, the course is offered in both English and Arabic, with separate English and Arabic classes. Reasonable language proficiency is required and there is no simultaneous translation. IIHL notes that attendees may be refused entry onto a course if their language skills fall short of the level required.

• ICRC Delegates: EUR 790.
• Non-ICRC participants: EUR 1,050.
• The fee covers course materials, transport from/to Nice Airport, lunches and coffee breaks on working days, reception drinks and a course dinner, and the course photograph and diploma.
• It does not cover hotel accommodation, laundry, telephone calls or other incidentals. IIHL provides a list of local hotels with special rates and can assist with reservations on request.
• The fee must be remitted before the start of the course by bank transfer or, at the latest, on arrival in cash or Euro currency cheque. Visa and Mastercard are accepted on the IIHL payments page or at the Institute.

An official certificate (course diploma) is released to participants who attend the course in full, after the final session and completion of the course evaluation.

Participants who need a visa for Italy must obtain it before departure; those arriving via Nice Airport must hold a valid Schengen visa covering both Italy and France. IIHL warns that visa processing may take more than one month and that no refund is issued to a participant unable to enter the country. Participants must arrange their own travel and health insurance. IIHL organises a transfer from Nice Airport for participants arriving the day before the course and departing at its end.

Register through the official IIHL online registration form (Military Department, course LE-HR November 2026) by 9 November 2026. Registrations and administrative questions go to military.department@iihl.org.