Andrés Caceres Solari on No room for Human Rights in Gaza and Ukraine: How the Law Legitimizes Urban Devastation

On 13 November 2025, the Maastricht Centre for Human Rights hosted a Pick Our Brains session with Dr Andrés H. Cáceres-Solari, titled “No room for human rights in Gaza and Ukraine: how the law legitimizes urban devastation.” Andrés Cáceres-Solari is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of International Law.

Drawing on examples from Gaza and Ukraine, the session analysed how evolving interpretations of international humanitarian law (IHL) influence civilian harm, military decision-making, and the broader conduct of hostilities.

The discussion highlighted how contemporary urban warfare stretches the limits of the legal rules intended to regulate hostilities and protect civilians. While the core principles of IHL remain intact, their interpretation and application in complex urban environments raise significant concerns about civilian protection and the practical space left for human rights during active hostilities. 

The Pick Our Brains sessions of the Maastricht Centre for Human Rights bring together PhD researchers, senior members of the Centre, and colleagues from other research groups and institutions. These sessions aim to stimulate intellectual exchange and foster potential collaborations within and beyond the Centre.