Right to Life

Christian Tomuschat, Professor Emeritus, Humboldt University Berlin, Faculty of Law. He was a member of the UN Human Rights Committee (1977 to 1986) and the UN International Law Commission (1985 to 1996). Author of Human Rights. Between Idealism and Realism (2nd. ed. 2008).

• Foreword; Part I. Introduction1. Christian Tomuschat, The Right to Life – Legal and Political Foundations; Part II. The Right to Life as Defence against State Interference2. Walter Kälin, ‘Death is different’ – The Death Penalty and the Right to a Fair Trial;3. Paul Tavernier, Le recours à la force par la police;4. Vera Rusinova, The Duty to Investigate the Death of Persons Arrested and/or Detained by Public Authorities; 5. Georg Nolte, The Bundesverfassungsgericht on the German Aerial Security Law: A Sonderweg from the Perspective of International Law?; 6. Rafaëlle Maison, Le crime de génocide dans la jurisprudence internationale : débats et hypothèses;Part III. The Right to Life in Situations of Armed Conflict7. Vera Gowlland-Debbas, The Right to Life and the Relationship between Human Rights and Humanitarian Law; 8. Nils Melzer, The ICRC’s Clarification Process on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities under International Humanitarian Law; 9. Stefan Oeter, Collateral Damages – Military Necessity and the Right to Life; 10. Michael Bothe, The Status of Captured Fighters in Non-International Armed Conflict; 11. Philippe Weckel, Les « combattants irréguliers » en situation d’occupation militaire; 12. Stefanie Schmahl, Targeted Killings – A Challenge for International Law?;13. Hélène Tigroudja, Assassinats ciblés et droit à la vie dans la jurisprudence de la Cour suprême israélienne;Part IV. A Right of Resistance?14. Jean d’Aspremont, Le tyrannicide en droit international; Part V. Positive Obligations Deriving from the Right to Life?15. Emmanuel Decaux, Le droit à la vie et le droit à une alimentation suffisante; 16. Eibe Riedel, The Right to Life and the Right to Health, in particular the Obligation to Reduce Child Mortality;17. Astrid Epiney, ‘Réfugiés écologiques’ et droit international;Part VI. Conclusions18. Pierre d’Argent, Conclusions générales : « Le droit à la vie en tant que jus cogens donnant naissance à desobligations erga omnes ? »Contributors (Biographical Notes).