This book is based on my doctoral thesis accepted by the Faculty of Law at the University of Geneva on 20 September 2019. Throughout the making of this work, I have had the honour to receive unreserved support and true encouragement from good people to whom I want to devote these words of thanks:
Professor Marco Sassòli – my doctoral thesis’ supervisor and professor of international humanitarian law who has been inspiring me to continuously perfect my knowledge of the law and to passionately protect it since the very first moment I entered into his classroom at then the University Centre for International Humanitarian Law in October 2006. I have been privileged and fortunate enough to have his abundant support, extraordinary diligence, and undivided attention to every detail of my writings. Thanks to this great teacher’s patient guidance, I have concluded the work on this book with expanded intellectual horizons and deeper understanding of highly complex issues related to security detention in non-international armed conflict.
Professors Bénédict Foëx, Sandesh Sivakumaran, Andrew Clapham, and Michelle Cottier – for their immensely relevant remarks and engaging discussions. I am in particular grateful to Professor Cottier for her instructive and most helpful comments on the earlier drafts of the Methodology part, which considerably improved since then. This Chapter also benefited from useful conversations on the sampling process with the specialist Miloš Mojsilović.
Professor Tim McCormack, Brill’s Editor-in-Chief of International Humanitarian Series, and Lindy Melman, Brill’s publisher – who deserve all my appreciation for accepting my manuscript into this prestigious publishing house with extraordinary kindness and trust.
My dear friends who gave me their unconditional support and believed in me at every stage of this exciting intellectual journey. My special thanks go to my rocks: Omar Mekky, Candice Lorfing, Yasmina Khalife, Dražan Djukić, Georgette Anastas, Nadine Sohouri, Azra Kuči, Anastasia Kushleyko, Giulia Chiara, and Andjelija Ćorković – for their advice, joyful conversations, and endless inspiration; and to Nicolas Masson, Hiba Kchour and other powerful connectors – for their trust and generous help to open the toughest doors.
My family – as it has been the case with all my major life endeavors, this book’s stronghold found its center in the unconditional faith, support and love of my parents Koviljka and Miloš, and brother Dejan, to whom I dedicate this book and remain forever grateful.