Carla Ruta is a Swiss expert in international humanitarian law, currently working as Legal Advisor at the Swiss Armed Forces Staff. She has 18 years’ experience in the humanitarian field and engaging armed State and non-State actors on international humanitarian and human rights law, achieving concrete improvements in a number of contexts for the benefit of communities, as well as persons deprived of freedom. She has extensive know-how in developing and facilitating training and dissemination of international norms to different audiences, including communities, armed actors, civil society actors and humanitarian practitioners.

During her ten years with the ICRC and four years with Geneva Call she conducted mine action activities, such as mine risk education for affected communities and awareness raising, training and advocacy with armed actors and State authorities related to humanitarian norms regarding Antipersonnel Landmines.

Through her work with Geneva Call and her current function with the Swiss Armed Forces, she is acquainted with the discussions within the framework of the Mine Ban Treaty on policy issues and on the implementation process as well with the different State and civil society actors of the disarmament community. She has acquired a solid experience in the development of policies, guidelines and strategies including on issues regarding landmines as well as explosive weapons.

Working in the field with the ICRC and Geneva Call in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia has given her substantial knowledge and expertise in analysing conflicts and conflict actors and of working in very volatile environments.

Fluent in German, French, English and Spanish, Carla holds a master's in law in International Humanitarian Law from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and a master's degree in international relations from the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.