Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Law and Public Policy (CLPP), in collaboration with Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), is organizing an academic colloquium on March 13 that will examine the phenomenon of targeted political eliminations ordered or sanctioned by a government or its institutions in modern times and throughout history.

A panel discussion chaired by Dr. Ahmad Dallal, dean of GU-Q, will explore this complex issue from a variety of perspectives, and focus on the assassination of civilians in times of armed conflict or political unrest.

The colloquium will bring together leading experts to discuss the underpinnings of targeted political killings and to address legal and other responses available to restrict and ultimately end such practices.

Speakers at the colloquium will include Professor Richard Steinberg, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Law and CLPP Visiting Professor; Professor Anatol Lieven, GU-Q; Professor Ilias Bantekas, CLPP; Professor Eleni Polymenopoulou, CLPP; Dean Susan L. Karamanian, CLPP; and Dean Ahmad Dallal, GU-Q.

Dr. Susan Karamanian said: “The colloquium will be a dynamic, academic forum for the exchange of ideas and knowledge, and will complement CLPP’s efforts to provide context on complex topics that confront contemporary societies. It is one of many initiatives that align our interests with GU-Q, and we look forward to a balanced and informative discussion on the political, legal, and social implications of this phenomenon.”

Dr. Ahmad Dallal said: “In light of current events, this opportunity to bring an academic focus on a contentious tool of statecraft could not be more timely. One of the main goals of the university is to contribute to the global body of knowledge on the issues that confront us, and to challenge our students to engage in the world and serve their communities. How we respond as scholars, as policy advisers, as members of our respective communities, will have a critical impact on our society and our future.”

The colloquium, which will be conducted in English, is open to the public, and takes place on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at GU-Q in Education City, in Faculty Conference Room 1D02.

CLPP regularly participates in local and international discussion forums to share their expertise and perspectives on topics of interest and global relevance. The college offers a graduate Juris Doctor (JD) degree, which equips students with the skills to identify and address complex problems using civil law, common law, and Sharia principles.

For more information about this colloquium, please visit: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/academic-events/targeted-political-killings