International Seminar 2026 on Expanding the Definition of War Crimes | Hybrid Mode | Submit Abstracts by 28 September
Amity Law School, Lucknow Campus is organising the International Seminar 2026 on “Expanding the Definition of War Crimes to Reflect Modern Conflict: Balancing State Sovereignty with International Accountability.” The seminar will take place on 6–7 October 2026 in hybrid mode.
Legal scholars, practitioners, researchers, policymakers and students can submit abstracts on contemporary issues involving war crimes, international humanitarian law, technology, environmental warfare and international accountability. The abstract submission deadline is 28 September 2026.
About Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus
Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus was established in 2004 as a constituent campus of Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida. The 40-acre campus offers 18 constituent institutions and 87 academic programmes, with a focus on research and interdisciplinary education.
About Amity Law School, Lucknow
Established in 2007, Amity Law School, Lucknow Campus focuses on legal education, professional excellence, legal scholarship and interdisciplinary research. The School offers UGC-recognised undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and regularly conducts seminars, conferences, workshops, moot court competitions and other academic events.
About the International Seminar 2026
The International Seminar 2026 on Expanding the Definition of War Crimes will examine whether existing legal frameworks adequately address emerging forms of modern conflict.
The seminar will consider developments such as cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, asymmetric warfare, algorithmic decision-making and environmental destruction. It will also examine the relationship between International Humanitarian Law, International Criminal Law, International Human Rights Law, state sovereignty and international accountability.
Theme
“Expanding the Definition of War Crimes to Reflect Modern Conflict: Balancing State Sovereignty with International Accountability”
Technical Sessions and Sub-Themes
Technical Session I: Cyber Warfare, Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Weapons Systems
6 October 2026 | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Possible areas include cyber warfare and war crimes, accountability for AI-driven military operations, state responsibility for cyber operations, protection of civilian digital infrastructure, autonomous weapons, human control, cyber espionage, information warfare and AI-enabled surveillance.
Technical Session II: Environmental Warfare, Ecocide and Ecological Protection
6 October 2026 | 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Topics include environmental destruction during armed conflict, ecocide, state responsibility and reparations, environmental displacement, the intersection of environmental law with IHL and IHRL, corporate accountability, post-conflict restoration and climate-related conflict drivers.
Technical Session III: Psychological Violence, Asymmetric Conflict and Modern Combatants
7 October 2026 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
This session covers psychological warfare, propaganda, misinformation, cyber manipulation, the legal status of non-traditional combatants, accountability of non-state armed groups, hybrid warfare, child soldiers, social media manipulation and the distinction between civilians and combatants.
Technical Session IV: Universal Jurisdiction, State Responsibility and International Accountability
7 October 2026 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
The session will explore universal jurisdiction, the International Criminal Court, domestic and hybrid courts, diplomatic protection, international arrest warrants, the Rome Statute, UN Security Council mechanisms, reparative justice and victim participation.
Who Can Submit?
The call is open to:
- Legal scholars, academicians and faculty members
- Advocates, arbitrators, practitioners and corporate counsels
- Policymakers, diplomats and international civil servants
- Research scholars and postgraduate students
- Undergraduate law students
The organisers particularly encourage comparative, critical, empirical and interdisciplinary research integrating law with technology, international relations and environmental studies.
Submission Guidelines
Abstract
The abstract should be 300–500 words and written in English. It should use Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing and justified alignment.
The abstract should include:
- Research problem
- Objectives
- Scope
- Methodology
- Principal arguments or findings
- Conclusion
- Title
- Author(s)
- Affiliation
- Email address
- Contact number
Bluebook or ILI citation style is preferred where applicable.
Full Paper
Selected authors must submit a 4,000–8,000-word full paper, inclusive of footnotes.
The paper should follow these requirements:
- Times New Roman, 12-point font
- 1.5 line spacing for the main text
- Times New Roman, 10-point font for footnotes
- Single-spaced footnotes
- One-inch margins
- Footnotes are mandatory
- Endnotes are not permitted
- Bluebook 20th/21st Edition or another uniform legal citation style
The suggested structure includes an abstract and keywords, introduction, statement of problem and objectives, methodology and literature review, substantive analysis, findings and recommendations, conclusion, and references/bibliography.
Submission and Review Process
Submissions must be original, unpublished and not under consideration elsewhere. Abstracts and papers will undergo blind peer review. The Organising Committee may also make necessary editorial or stylistic modifications.
Selected papers may, subject to peer review and editorial discretion, be considered for publication in an edited book, conference proceedings or reputed partner journals.
Registration Charges
| Category | Registration Charges |
|---|---|
| Amity Students & Research Scholars | ₹500, inclusive of GST |
| Amity Faculty | ₹750, inclusive of GST |
| National Delegates | ₹1,000 + GST |
| Foreign Delegates | ₹1,500 + GST |
A maximum of two authors is permitted per paper. Each co-author must register and pay separately.
Awards
The organisers will confer:
- Best Research Paper Award in each technical session
- Best Paper Presenter Award in each technical session
Important Dates
| Particular | Date |
|---|---|
| Abstract Submission | 28 September 2026 |
| Registration | 28 September 2026 |
| Abstract Acceptance | 29 September 2026 |
| Full Paper Submission | 5 October 2026 |
| International Seminar | 6–7 October 2026 |
Mode and Venue
Mode: Hybrid
Venue: Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus
How to Submit?
Authors must submit their abstracts and full papers by email in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format.
Email:
For abstracts, use the subject line:
“Abstract Submission – [Name of Author]”
For full papers, use:
“Full Paper Submission – [Name of Author]”
The file name should include the primary author’s name and a concise paper title. Registration must be completed through the official QR code provided in the brochure.
Contact
Email: intseminaralsl@gmail.com
