GRILI researcher, Maxime Nijs, has published a new article on Articles of War, examining how the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL) governing the conduct of hostilities (also referred to as the law of targeting) apply to electromagnetic warfare (EW) countermeasures against enemy weapon systems, such as jamming and spoofing.

The article explores the significant interpretative challenges these operations raise, particularly regarding the notion of an “attack” under IHL. It argues that defensive EW operations that foreseeably cause physical harm may qualify as attacks, thereby triggering attack-specific targeting obligations. The analysis further highlights that belligerents cannot disregard an adversary’s EW capabilities when planning and conducting operations. Rather, such capabilities must be taken into account when assessing proportionality and the implementation of precautions

As EW capabilities continue to proliferate, the article underscores the need for both attackers and defenders to carefully calibrate their operations in light of their legal obligations, especially where EW techniques create uncertainty regarding the location and manner of potential civilian harm.

Read the full article 'here'

We’re pleased to share that updates to the International Law in Belgian Courts (ILBC) database have resumed!

The ILBC database aims to collect and organize judgments of Belgian courts and tribunals that engage with public international law, including topics such as immunities, jurisdiction, international criminal law, and more. Each case includes a full-text version of the judgement (in the original language) and a concise English summary highlighting its relevance to public international law.

Call for submissions!

Have you come across Belgian case-law touching on matters of public international law in your studies or practice? We warmly invite students, researchers, and practitioners to contribute to the database. More information can be found on the ILBC website and questions/submissions can be sent to grili@ugent.be.

Some of the latest additions include (contributions by Frederik Rogiers, Quinten DeGroote, Maxime Nijs, and Ioannis Bamnios):

• The judgment of the Leuven Assize Court of 14 December 2023, convicting former Guatemalan officials for crimes against humanity and applying the concept of joint criminal enterprise as a mode of liability;
• The judgment of the Belgian Supreme Court of 8 April 2024, addressing State immunity in employment disputes and the distinction between acta jure imperii and gestionis;
• The judgment of the Brussels Court of Appeal of 2 December 2024, recognising the forcible removal of mixed-race children during colonial times as crimes against humanity and confirming their non-prescriptibility;
• The decision of the Board for Maritime Investigation of 3 June 2025, examining the definition of a warship under UNCLOS and the applicability of the Maritime Labour Convention;
• The judgment of the Belgian Supreme Court of 29 July 2025, clarifying the “reasonable period” during which diplomats continue to benefit from immunity after their posting has ended.