Nils Melzer
Dr. Nils Melzer is an expert, author and practitioner in the field of international law. Since 1 November 2016, Dr. Melzer serves as the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. He also holds the Human Rights Chair at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights (ADH) in Switzerland, where he has been teaching since 2009, including as the Swiss Chair of International Humanitarian Law (2011-2013). He has previously served for 12 years with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as Delegate, Deputy Head of Delegation and Legal Adviser in various zones of conflict and violence. After leaving the ICRC, Dr. Melzer held academic positions as Research Director of the Swiss Competence Centre on Human Rights (University of Zürich), as Senior Fellow and Senior Advisor for Emerging Security Challenges (Geneva Centre for Security Policy) and at the Geneva Academy. He has also served the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs as Senior Adviser for Security Policy at the Political Directorate. Dr. Melzer has authored award-winning and widely translated books, including: "Targeted Killing in International Law" (Oxford, 2008), the ICRC's "Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities" (ICRC, 2009) and, most recently, the ICRC's Handbook "International Humanitarian Law - a Comprehensive Introduction" (ICRC, 2016). He is also a co-author of the NATO CCDCOE "Tallinn Manual on the International Law applicable to Cyber Warfare" (Cambridge, 2013), and of the NATO MCDC "Policy Guidance: Autonomy in Defence Systems", (NATO ACT, 2014).
Education and career
Melzer graduated summa cum laude from the University of Zürich with a PhD degree in law.[1][2]
Published works
Selected publications
- “Targeted Killing in International Law” (Oxford: University Press, 2008).
- “Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities under International Humanitarian Law” (Geneva: ICRC, 2009).
- "Cyberwarfare and International Law" (Geneva: UNIDIR, 2011)
- With Hans-Peter Gasser: "Humanitäres Völkerrecht – Eine Einführung", 2nd ed. (Zürich: Schulthess, 2012).
- With Michael N. Schmitt (ed.) et al., “Tallinn Manual on the International Law Applicable to Cyber Warfare” (Cambridge: University Press, 2013).
- “International Humanitarian Law - a Comprehensive Introduction” (Geneva: ICRC, 2016).
References
- ↑ "Dr Nils Melzer". Speakers' Biographies. ACO - Allied Command Operations, NATO / OTAN. 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
- ↑ "Introduction, Dr. Nils Melzer, Legal Adviser for the International Committee of the Red Cross, 'Targeted Killing in International Law'". The Graduate Institute. 16 October 2008. Retrieved 2010-10-22.