LectureForthcoming
Food Forum Seminar on Starvation, Foodways, and Siege Warfare
SOAS Food Studies Centre, SOAS University of London· London, England
Invited to present a Food Forum seminar on starvation, foodways, and siege warfare.
Talks & Conferences
Invited Lectures & Presentations
Yousuf Syed Khan is a frequent speaker on starvation as a method of warfare, siege warfare, and the application of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in armed conflict. He has delivered invited lectures and presented his research at universities including Harvard University, Vanderbilt University, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the United States Military Academy (West Point), Leiden University, Utrecht University, the University of Amsterdam, the University of Oslo, and University College London (UCL), as well as fora such as the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the Peace Palace in The Hague.
2027
2026
Webinar
Rohingya Hunger as State Policy
Famine Voices | Tufts University | World Peace Foundation· Webinar
Invited to present a webinar on hunger as state policy. Famine Voices foregrounds survivor perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches to acute hunger and starvation, and examines how these debates should inform the IPC framework, the legal definition of starvation crimes, and broader efforts at prevention.
Lecture
Guest Lecture — Master of Public Health (MPH)
University College London (UCL) | Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care· London, England
Invited to deliver a guest lecture in the Master of Public Health (MPH), Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (the effects of IHL and ICL on civilian survival and health systems in armed conflict).
2025
Lecture
Starvation as a Method of Warfare and Starvation Crimes
Lebanese American University (LAU)· Beirut, Lebanon
Delivered a guest lecture on starvation as a method of warfare and starvation crimes, examining the prohibition of starvation under international humanitarian law and international criminal law and discussing current developments.
Lecture
International Criminal Law Module, MAS in Transitional Justice
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights· Geneva, Switzerland
Invited as a guest speaker for the International Criminal Law module of the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
Conference
Sexual and Gender Based Violence, Reproductive Violence & Starvation: Mutually Reinforcing Crimes
Tufts University | World Peace Foundation· Somerville, Massachusetts
Invited to present on the law of starvation as a method of warfare, including its intersection with sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and reproductive violence, at a two-day expert seminar.
Panel
Strengthening Legal Accountability for Starvation Crimes under International Law
UN Human Rights Council 60th Session Side Event | Palais des Nations· Geneva, Switzerland
This UN Human Rights Council side event, organised by Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) and co-sponsored by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), explored starvation as a war crime, crime against humanity, or act of genocide; unpacked patterns and recent developments; examined starvation's links to sexual violence and forced displacement; assessed impacts on maternal and child health; and highlighted the role of affected communities in advancing justice.
Panel
Towards a Holistic Accountability Framework for Syria: Is It Possible?
UN Human Rights Council 58th Session Side Event | Palais des Nations· Geneva, Switzerland
For the first time, the Permanent Mission of the Syrian Arab Republic sponsored a side event during a UN Human Rights Council session. The side event, organised by the Syrian Forum and Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), explored the possibility of consolidating and mainstreaming international mechanisms on Syria.
Conference
Spatial Analysis and Early Warning: Anticipating Starvation as a Method of Warfare and Forced Displacement
Harvard University | T.H. Chan School of Public Health | Atrocity Prevention Lab· Cambridge, Massachusetts
Presenter on spatial analysis and early warning at the Spatial Strategies for Peace Annual Conference. Research explores integrating advanced spatial analysis into early warning and atrocity prevention strategies to anticipate the deliberate use of starvation as a method of warfare and forced displacement.
Lecture
Defining, Investigating, and Prosecuting Starvation as a War Crime
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights· Geneva, Switzerland
Invited to deliver a guest lecture on 'Defining, Investigating, and Prosecuting Starvation as a War Crime' as part of the International Criminal Law LL.M. course.
Panel
Private Military and Security Companies – Trends, Legal Gaps and Challenges for Accountability
Geneva Academy | Geneva Peacebuilding Platform· Geneva, Switzerland
Co-organised with the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, this event took place on the sidelines of the Human Rights Council's 58th Session to explore alternative accountability pathways for those affected by the activities of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs). It identified avenues for enhancing international cooperation and strengthening legal frameworks to address these complex challenges.
Lecture
Guest Lecture — Master of Public Health (MPH)
University College London (UCL) | Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care· London, England
Invited to deliver a guest lecture in the Master of Public Health (MPH), Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care (the effects of IHL and ICL on civilian survival and health systems in armed conflict).
2024
Lecture
Masterclass — Investigation and Prosecution of Starvation Crimes
Utrecht University School of Law· Utrecht, Netherlands
Invited to deliver a 'Masterclass' to LL.M. students on the investigation and prosecution of starvation crimes under international criminal law and international humanitarian law.
Panel
IHL Talk: Food Insecurity in Armed Conflict
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights· Geneva, Switzerland
This IHL Talk, held in conjunction with the launch of the Geneva Academy's first spot report under the IHL in Focus project on Food Insecurity in Armed Conflict and the Use of Siege-Like Tactics, explored the intersection of armed conflict and food insecurity, through the lens of international humanitarian and human rights law. Panellists included Prof. Andrew Clapham, Dr. Krisztina Huszti-Orbán, and Yousuf Syed Khan.
Keynote
The Role of Arms Control in Promoting Human Rights
Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights· Webinar
Keynote Speaker for a webinar hosted on the sidelines of the United Nations Disarmament Week.
Webinar
Starvation: A War Crime — Global Prosecutions
World Without Genocide· Webinar
Invited as the Guest Speaker to present on 'Defining, investigating, and prosecuting starvation as a war crime'. This webinar examined challenges in prosecuting starvation as a war crime in situations such as Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and Ethiopia, given that no court to date has entered a conviction for an international crime on the charge.
Webinar
Challenges Facing Arab Countries Joining the Arms Trade Treaty
Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights· Webinar
Panellist on a webinar hosted on the sidelines of the Tenth Conference of States Parties (CSP10) to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
Conference
The Interlinkages Between Starvation as a Method of Warfare and Environmental Crimes in Ukraine
Environmental Peacebuilding Association (EnPAx) & Grotius Centre, Leiden University· The Hague, Netherlands
Panellist and presentation of research paper on 'The interlinkages between starvation as a method of warfare and environmental crimes in Ukraine' at the Third International Conference on Environmental Peacebuilding. Session: Accountability for Wartime Environmental Damage in Ukraine.
Lecture
Investigation and Prosecution of Starvation as a Method of Warfare
Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights· Geneva, Switzerland
Invited to deliver a guest lecture for the International Criminal Law LL.M. course on the investigation and prosecution of starvation as a method of warfare.
Conference
'Houston, we have a problem': Counter-Terrorism in the Age of Uncertainty
International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) | Annual Conference 2024· The Hague, Netherlands
The ICCT Annual Conference brings together key CT and P/CVE practitioners, policy makers, and international scholars. Invited expert participant in closed-door workshops on the Rise of Transnational Repression, Marginalisation of P/CVE, Monitoring and Evaluation of CT programmes, and the Rising Threat of State-Terrorism emanating from outside European Borders.
Lecture
Rule of Law Responses to Terrorism in the Aftermath of Counterterrorism Operations in Syria
Leiden University | Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies· The Hague, Netherlands
Presentation of research on rule of law responses to terrorism in the aftermath of counterterrorism operations in Syria (ISIL): blanket unlawful internment as IDP camps.
Panel
Criminal Justice Responses to the Situation in Libya
International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)· Tunis, Tunisia
Invited to present on the prospects of and modalities for the establishment of a Hybrid Special Tribunal for Libya or specialised chambers within the Libyan judicial system, utilising international technical assistance.
Keynote
Right to Food and Food Security
Vanderbilt University | Journal of Transnational Law Symposium 2024· Nashville, Tennessee
Delivered one of two keynote lectures at the Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law biennial symposium, alongside former ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo.
2023
Panel
Navigating the International Legal Landscape of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
T.M.C. Asser Instituut | Supranational Criminal Law Lectures· Webinar
This supranational criminal law lecture discussed international legal aspects pertaining to the Israel/Palestine conflict, addressing: (1) the jus ad bellum, including the scope of the right to self-defence; (2) the jus in bello, including questions related to targeting; and (3) the jus post bellum and the search for accountability for violations, with a focus on the crime of starvation. Experts included Prof. Terry Gill, Yousuf Syed Khan, and Prof. Helen Duffy.
Panel
Humanitarian Evacuations and "Forced Displacement" in the Syrian Arab Republic
American Society of International Law | ASIL Midyear Meeting, Research Forum· Pennsylvania, USA
Panellist and presentation of research paper entitled 'Humanitarian Evacuations and "Forced Displacement" in the Syrian Arab Republic' during the panel session on 'Losing Autonomy: Individual Rights in Times of Conflict' with Discussant Professor Jaya Ramji-Nogales.
Panel
War Criminals for Hire: The Role of Mercenaries in Modern Armed Conflict
UN Human Rights Council 54th Session Side Event | Palais des Nations· Geneva, Switzerland
Panellist speaking on the role played by mercenary groups in Ukraine, highlighting the legal qualification of Wagner Group members as mercenaries or combatants, the challenges encountered in curbing their activities, and the gaps in holding perpetrators to account.
Panel
Information Sharing with Commissions of Inquiry and Fact-Finding Missions
Global Rights Compliance | Pan-Asian Forum· Seoul, South Korea
Presentation on 'Information Sharing with Commissions of Inquiry and Fact-Finding Missions' during the GRC Pan-Asian Forum panel session on 'Engagement with Commissions of Inquiry, Independent Investigative Mechanisms, Fact-Finding Missions, and Special Procedures'.
2022
Panel
Trial Monitoring — Post-ISIL Administration of Justice in Iraq
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)· Webinar
Panellist speaking on experiences leading a team with the UN in Iraq to monitor the post-ISIL administration of justice, including on trial monitoring and procedural safeguards to ensure torture prevention.
Conference
Sixth Annual Lieber Institute Workshop — Making and Shaping the Law of Armed Conflict
United States Military Academy at West Point· West Point, New York
Presentation of research paper at the Sixth annual Lieber Institute Workshop at the United States Military Academy at West Point, dedicated to 'Making and Shaping the Law of Armed Conflict'.
Lecture
Best Practices for International Investigation, Collection, and Preservation of Evidence
University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School· Madison, Wisconsin
Presentation regarding best practices for the international investigation, collection, and preservation of evidence of violations and international crimes and their role in the international legal order, particularly concerning the interplay between atrocity inquiries and actionable criminal accountability.
2021
Conference
Overlooked Iconoclasm: Intangible Heritage and Endangerment in Syria
Generating Respect Project· Conference
Presented research paper entitled 'Overlooked iconoclasm: intangible heritage and endangerment in Syria' at the conference on 'Religious Actors & Humanitarian Norms Compliance in Armed Conflict: Roles, Influence, Engagement'.
Webinar
Implementation of UNSC Resolution 2417 — Forced Population Transfers and Starvation Crimes
Global Rights Compliance· Webinar
To mark the third anniversary of the adoption of landmark UNSC Resolution 2417, Global Rights Compliance convened a webinar on the implementation of Resolution 2417 with a focus on Syria, South Sudan, Yemen, Ethiopia, and broader UNSC action. Presented on forced and calculated population transfers and their link with starvation crimes.
2020
Conference
A Vanishing History: Iconoclasm and Syria's Endangered Cultural Heritage
University of Oslo | Norwegian Centre for Human Rights· Oslo, Norway
Presentation of research paper entitled 'A Vanishing History: Iconoclasm and Syria's Endangered Cultural Heritage', during the UiO 'Disentangling the Relationship between Religion and Law' conference.
2017
Panel
Syria and the Question of Accountability for War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity
University of Amsterdam | Centre for International Law, War Reparations Centre· Amsterdam, Netherlands
Panellist discussing 'Syria and the question of accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity'.
Conference
ELSA Conference on International Human Rights Law
International Bar Association | Queen Mary University, Centre for Commercial Law Studies· London, England
Speaker at the ELSA Conference on International Human Rights Law.
Panel
Justice and Truth-finding for Syria
Leiden University | Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies· The Hague, Netherlands
Panellist discussing 'Justice and Truth-finding for Syria', moderated by Professor Carsten Stahn, with Lotte Leicht, EU Director of Human Rights Watch. The panel, part of the Human Rights & Transitional Justice Summer School, focussed on the importance of gathering evidence and the interplay with bringing perpetrators to justice.
Lecture
Pursuing Accountability in Syria
Harvard University | Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI)· Cambridge, Massachusetts
Prior to the release of the Syria Commission's report on the siege of eastern Aleppo, invited as a co-guest alongside Amb. Stephen Rapp (US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes, 2009–2015) to discuss 'Pursuing Accountability in Syria'.
2016
Conference
Jus Post Bellum and the Protection of Cultural Property in the Syrian Arab Republic
The Peace Palace· The Hague, Netherlands
Presentation of research paper entitled 'Jus post bellum and the Protection of Cultural Property: A Consideration of the Situation in the Syrian Arab Republic', during the 'Jus Post Bellum and the Justice of Peace' conference.