Dr ANNYSSA BELLAL
INTERNATIONAL LAWYER & CONSULTANT
I am an international lawyer with more than 18 years of experience, specialised on issues related to armed conflicts, and in particular armed non-state actors. I also provide for legal and strategic advice to a wide range of actors, including governments, NGO’s and businesses.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
LAW OF ARMED CONFLICT / INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW / ARMED NON-STATE ACTORS / COUNTERTERRORISM / PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW
MEDIA
High-Level Side Event, ECOSOC – Humanitarian Affairs Segment 2019
Déclaration universelle des Droits de l’Homme: 60ans, et quel bilan?
Geneva Conventions turn 70: A cause for celebration or concern ?
Al Jazeera Interview on Mexico and IHL
Area of Expertise
Legal and Strategic Advice
I have several years of experience as a legal adviser, notably for the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva Call and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
I have participated to the drafting of international treaties such as the 2005 Third Additional Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the 2013 Arms Trade Treaty.
In addition, I have provided for legal and strategic advice to Human Rights Watch, the Danish Refugee Council, Total and Education Above All Foundation.
Research & Teaching
My research focuses on the issue of armed non-state actors. I was awarded several research fellowships and grants, in particular from UK Research and Innovation, McGill University, New York University and the Swiss National Science Foundation.
I am the author of numerous publications on various international law topics, including an award-winning article on ‘International Law and Armed Non-State Actors in Afghanistan’ (International Review of the Red Cross, 2011, SNIS Geneva Award 2011).
I also teach at Sciences Po, Paris, the University of Berne and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. In 2015, I was awarded the Paris School of International Affairs Award for my course ‘War and Law’.