Accueil | Studies | Conference "Fighting in Afghanistan?"

Studies

Conference "Fighting in Afghanistan?"

The International Human Rights Institute for Peace organises on Friday April 6, a symposium dedicated to the presence of French troops in Afghanistan.

 

At a time when the death toll increases, when President Sarkozy once again announced the definite withdrawal of French troops, the war which lasts and raises questions should be discussed. What is this war which was been going on for more than 10 years? Which enemy is facing the French troops? What is the faraway country we have been hearing from but which we know too little? How can we analyse this war under international law and law of armed conflict? What is the specific role for France in Afghanistan? What does the future look like for the Afghan State?

 

Many questions have been raised about this conflict, whose outcome seems less and less clear. On Friday, April 6, the speakers (see program underneath) in Caen will try to answer them.

 

 

PROGRAM OF THE DAY


 

9-9:15 – Opening speech by Alain Tourret, President of the Institute

 

 


I.  WHAT DOES FIGHTING IN AFGHANISTAN REALLY MEAN?

9:30: Geopolitics - Afghanistan, Peoples and Histories

Dr Georges Lefeuvre, anthropologist, specialized in Afghanistan, former advisor to the European Commission
99:50: International Forces - Enduring Freedom and IASF (mandate and mission)

Commissary Lieutenant-Colonel Durhin, chief of the law of armed conflict office, Ministry of Defense
10:10: Enemies - Warlords, traffickers, Taliban or Al-Qaida members? Dr Frédéric Oberson, teacher, former electoral observer in Afghanistan

Discussion and break

 

 

II. HOW TO FIGHT IN AFGHANISTAN?

11: Law of conflict – Which rights in irregular warfare? The Afghan example

Sebastien Botreau-Bonneterre, director of the International Human Rights Institute for Peace
11:20: International Justice - The international criminal justice

David Boyle, who has a PhD in law, is an expert in international criminal law and a jurist to the extraordinary chambers of Cambodian tribunals
11:40: Operational Law – The notion of operational law regarding the Afghan example

First Class Chief Commissioner Baillat, chief of the « operational judiciary » section, Army Chief of Staff

Discussion and break

 

 

12:30 – LUNCH

 

 

III. FIGHTING IN AFGHANISTAN: FRANCE’S ROLE

14: Public opinion – French opinion and the war in Afghanistan Pierre Charasse, former French Ambassador in Pakistan (2003-2005)
14:20: The French Army fighting - 10 years of doctrinal and technical evolution Speaker may change

14:40 and 15:

The NGO’s work in Afghanistan

 

Pierre Micheletti, professor associate to the IEP of Grenoble, former President of  Médecin du Monde

Alain Boinet, general director and founder of Solidarités International

Discussion and break

 

 IV. REBUILDING AFGHANISTAN: A CONCRETE PROCESS

15:40: Justice -  The French support to the strengthening of state justice in Afghanistan Payam Shahrjerdi, legal coordinator to the International Institute for Comparative Studies (IIPEC) 
16: The Rule of law – The challenge of rule of law in Afghanistan: the French contribution  Dr Mathieu Leclerc, project manager RSS, French Ambassy in Afghanistan  

Discussion

 

 

16:40 – End of session - Philippe Duron, Deputy – Mayor of Caen (subject to change)

 

 

Afghanistan, April 6th