This book is based on a dissertation I defended at Leiden University in 2022. Many people have supported me along the long and winding road of researching and writing. It was during my exchange semester in Sydney, when during a lecture by Yuval Shany I first jotted down ‘thesis idea: ihl and human rights?’. My interest was sparked once more when during my internship with Böhler advocaten, I worked on a case relating to investigations into human rights violations committed during armed conflict. This came together in a research proposal which was the beginning of a good four years at Leiden University, with many inspiring stops along the way. I completed the dissertation and the book whilst working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands – where I strive to put my research into practice.
I want to thank my wonderful PhD supervisors Helen Duffy and Titia Loenen for their guidance and faith. Helen, I’m inspired by how you combine academic work with your human rights practice, your motivation for justice, your ability to inspire others, your sense of humour, and your knowledge. Titia, our conversations on human rights issues have helped shape my thinking also beyond the dissertation, and if it was not for your advice and guidance, I would likely still be pursuing some or other wind in the road. Your passion for teaching and heart for students will stay with me. I also received much help and inspiration from my daily supervisor for four years, Erik Koppe. Erik, your highly structured way of thinking and researching have helped me a lot. I also fondly remember your team-building skills and your fantastic impressions. You have told me many times, in der Beschränkung zeigt zich erst der Meister. As the book shows, I am not quite there yet.
I am also grateful to the members of my Doctorate Committee, Professors Carla Ferstman, Larissa van den Herik, Marten Zwanenburg, Rick Lawson, and Yuval Shany. Thank you for your thoughtful comments, and for your inspirational research. Larissa, thank you also for the part you played in getting me to Leiden. Rick, I still think often and fondly of my time at the Strasbourg Court, thank you for making the secondment possible. Marten, I really enjoyed being your colleague in the Hague and hope we will continue to work and write together.
A large part of what made the PhD so fun to work on, were the many wonderful colleagues. At the Grotius Centre and Leiden University more broadly, with the Nederlands Tijdschrift voor de Mensenrechten, at the Strasbourg Court, at the nnhrr, Leesclubje, the Leiden Court Watchers, lacpo, ihcl Platform, and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This goes in particular for my
To my study friends, friends from Nijmegen, and Uspo boys, thank you for all the laughs, the good times, and for everything non-PhD related. And for the less-than-fit mornings working on the PhD which followed. I probably underestimated how much I needed time spent with you, rather than time spent on the dissertation. Tom, Jorre, it still amazes me that after meeting at Grotius, although we all went different ways, we also continued on the same road. From ir., drs., and mr., united once more as doctors.
To Sophie and Sander, my paranymphs: thank you for standing up with me at the moment suprême. Sophie, thank you for being such a great office mate, and for spreading your positive nature and calmness to the rest of the office. Sander, thank you for being a friend through thick and thin.
To my family, thank you for your support and love, also when times were difficult. This also goes for my family-in-law. Family and law, what more could a guy like me want. Laurens, thank you for having set an example since always. It makes sense that the first word I could say, was your name (sort of). Mum and dad, thank you for everything. For providing a happy and safe home, for believing in me, but mostly for having me believe in myself. Dad, your calmness, stability, support, and dedication have helped me endlessly – during the PhD and beyond. Mum, when I think of you, I think of your tremendous warmth, openness, and passion. They are still with me, thank you for that. And thank you for setting an example in altruism, which inspired me to specialise in human rights.
Leonie, you belong in all the above categories. You read and commented on my research proposal and chapters, were a sparring partner, the best office mate when working from home, drinking buddy, friend, muse, and family – our own family. Thank you for your support and for continuing to motivate me and cheer me on, also – and especially – when I was mopey. I know you are just as happy as I am for reaching the destination of this long, long, winding road. And I’m so very happy that this is not the destination of our shared road, but just a short stop along the way. Thank you for sharing your life with me, for your love, for laughing at my jokes, and for embarking on a new journey together: being a mum and dad.
Finally, Elise. You weren’t there yet when I wrote this dissertation. And yet, you have brought us so much. Thank you for the happiness you spread, the big