In the flow of fire: The protection of water during armed conflict under public international law

Meng Wang

doi:10.26481/dis.20260130mw

In the flow of fire: The protection of water during armed conflict under public international law

Meng Wang

Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis › Internal

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Abstract

This research investigates the legal protection of freshwater during armed conflict, a resource essential for life, food, and the environment. The research examines how different areas of international law—including humanitarian, human rights, environmental, and water law—interact to safeguard water from both humanitarian and environmental perspectives. It includes the analysis of ongoing conflicts, such as the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine and attacks on Gaza’s water infrastructure, to examine the challenges international law faces in safeguarding water during war and to explore potential remedies for stronger legal protection.

Original language	English
Qualification	Doctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution	Maastricht University
Supervisors/Advisors	Faure, Michael, Supervisor Lijnzaad, Liesbeth, Supervisor
Award date	30 Jan 2026
Place of Publication	Maastricht
Publisher	Maastricht University
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.26481/dis.20260130mw
Publication status	Published - 30 Jan 2026

Keywords

Water protection
Armed conflict
Humanitarian & Environmental consequences
Multi-branch legal analysis

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10.26481/dis.20260130mw

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In the flow of fire. The protection of water during armed conflict under public international law
Faure, M. (Supervisor), Lijnzaad, L. (Supervisor), Vidmar, J. (Assessment committee chair), Hey, E. (Assessment / reading committee member), Muller, W. (Assessment / reading committee member) & Petrig, A. (Assessment / reading committee member)
30 Jan 2026
Activity: PhD examination / assessment committee › PhD (co-) supervision / assessment committee - internal promotion › Academic

Cite this

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AB - This research investigates the legal protection of freshwater during armed conflict, a resource essential for life, food, and the environment. The research examines how different areas of international law—including humanitarian, human rights, environmental, and water law—interact to safeguard water from both humanitarian and environmental perspectives. It includes the analysis of ongoing conflicts, such as the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine and attacks on Gaza’s water infrastructure, to examine the challenges international law faces in safeguarding water during war and to explore potential remedies for stronger legal protection.

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In the flow of fire: The protection of water during armed conflict under public international law

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In the flow of fire. The protection of water during armed conflict under public international law

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