This book was originally submitted as a doctoral thesis (s.c.l.) at the Faculty of Law of Freie Universität Berlin. It would not have been possible without the support of a large number of people. My special thanks go to:
Heike Krieger, who gave me the opportunity to do my doctorate under her supervision. She gave me the freedom to find my own path, but then also helped me with experience and pragmatism when I got lost.
Helmut Aust, who wrote the second examination report. I always found his door open.
Bjönstjern Baade, who, even though in no formal supervisory role, accompanied me from the beginning to the end of my doctorate and was always on hand with good advice.
Dominik Steiger and Miloš Vez, who have given me a second academic home in Dresden and Vienna.
Andrea Bianchi, Nico Krisch and Fuad Zarbiyev, who supervised me during my research stays at the Geneva Graduate Institute and showed me ways to conceptually approach my research.
From the icrc Iris Müller and Jean-Marie Henckaerts, who showed their interest in my research and granted me valuable insights into their work as well as the staff from the icrc library and the icrc archive.
Cusanuswerk e.V. supporting me with a scholarship during my doctorate, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (dfg) funding my first stay in Geneva in 2017, and Ernst-Reuter-Gesellschaft financing the proofreading.
Bea Timmer, Thalien Colenbrander and an unknown reviewer who accompanied me on the way to my publication with Brill/Nijhoff and Tim McCormack for including my book in the International Humanitarian Law Series.
If not already mentioned, my friends who gave me feedback on individual chapters and supported me in difficult moments.1 To be mentioned here in particular are Ana Luísa Bernardino, Lennart Brandenburg, Helen Burmeister, Dilken Çelebi, Dorothéa Endres, Pedro José Martínez Esponda, Hanna Faig, Prisca Feihle, Hannah Kiel, Konstantin Kleine, Theresia Lehner, Jasper Mührel, Niccolò Ridi, Lena Riemer, Stefan Rolfing, Raphael Schäfer, Tilmann Scherf, Katja Schöberl, Sebastian Seel, Joana Volk.
Linus Mührel
Berlin, September 2023
For all those who are considering doing a doctorate, I suggest reading ‘What To Expect When You’re PhDing: Mental Health and Doctoral Studies in International Law’, Völkerrechtsblog, 12 May 2023 <