Less-Lethal Weapons under International Law
A Three-Dimensional Perspective

The first monograph analysing all legal regimes applicable to the use of less-lethal weapons.

Elisabeth Hoffberger-Pippan (Author)

9781108840941, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 August 2021

300 pages
23 x 15 x 2 cm, 0.52 kg

Hitherto 'less-lethal' weapons, in contrast to classical firearms and other highly destructive weapons, have literally slipped under the radar of public international law. This book is the first monograph addressing and analysing all international legal regimes applicable to less-lethal weapons, ranging from arms control treaties, international humanitarian, criminal and human rights law. In doing so the different scenarios in which less-lethal weapons come to use will be taken into account, such as law enforcement, armed conflict and law enforcement scenarios during armed conflict. The relationships between the different legal regimes will be elaborated thoroughly with a view to examining how international law responds to less-lethal weapons. The final chapter provides guidelines as well as recommendations on appropriate use and regulation of less-lethal weapons, where the different scenarios of application, such as in armed conflict and law enforcement, will be given due account.

Part I. Definition, Characterization and Categorization of Less-Lethal Weapons
1. Definition of Non-Lethal Weapons by the UN DoD and Nato
2. Non-Lethal Weapons – A Misnomer
3. The Definition and Characteristics of Less-Lethal Weapons according to the UN Guidance on Less-Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement
4. Categorization of Less-Lethal Weapons
Part II. Less-Lethal Weapons and International Law
1. Arms Control Treaties
2. Humanitarian Law
3. International Criminal Law
4. International Human Rights Law
Part III. International Law Guidelines on Less-Lethal Weapons
1. Unlawful Weapons
2. Anti-Matérial Weapons
3. Acoustic Weapons
4. Biochemical Weapons
5. Electrical Weapons
6. Electromagnetic Weapons
7. Kinetic Energy Weapons
8. Optical Weapons
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Military & defence law [LNDK], Human rights & civil liberties law [LNDC], International humanitarian law [LBBS], International human rights law [LBBR], Public international law [LBB], Armed conflict [JPWS], Human rights [JPVH], Peace studies & conflict resolution [GTJ]