International and Comparative Law

Professor Susana SáCouto addresses in her latest publications the topics of reparations and evidence in international criminal law proceedings.  Jurisprudence is also still unclear about the level of evidence required to hold responsible commanders for the acts of their subordinates.  

nternational law regulates a growing number of common values of humanity, such as human rights, environmental protection, and the fight against corruption. These values are the result of a wide international consensus, and influence the conduct of those states that are not entirely in compliance with them. Four of AUWCL’s Humphrey Fellows discussed on March 11, 2020 the role governments play in implementing these common values around the world.

AUWCL Professor David Hunter is famous for his involvement in groundbreaking litigation favoring environmental concerns. After his support of the JAM v. IFC case before the U.S. Supreme Court, he has most recently co-authored an amicus curiae brief in a petition for rehearing en banc the case of Kelsey Cascadia Rose Juliana, et al. v. United States of America (“Juliana v. United States”) at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The case demands from the U.S. federal government at least the development of a public policy against the rapid increase of climate change.

In February 19, 2020, Professor Fernanda Nicola delivered a lecture on “Brexit: Constitutional, Economic and Political Challenges.” The lecture explained the relationship between the UK courts and the European Union Court of Justice (CJEU) as one of the key challenges to the Brexit process.

On March 12, 2020, The Syrian Initiative to Combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence at AUWCL organized and hosted an event entitled A Conversation with Syrian Women: The Way Forward. The event was co-sponsored by the Center for Civil Society and Democracy (CCSD). The Syrian Initiative’s Principle Investigator, Professor Padideh Ala’i, delivered opening remarks affirming AUWCL’s commitment to human rights, the rule of law, and a locally-driven approach to promoting human rights and justice. The panel was moderated by the Syrian Initiative’s Director, Deyaa Alrwishdi. The Syrian women on the panel, Majeda Alaboud, Noora Al Jizawi, Rajaa Altalli, and Tassnem Fatta recounted their experiences fighting for justice and accountability and a sustainable political solution.

On February 27-28, the Brazil-U.S. Legal & Judicial Studies Program at AUWCL held its Sixth Annual Symposium for High Court Judges and Government Officials from Brazil. This year’s topic was Economic Analysis of Law. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Peter J. Messitte, Adjunct Professor of Comparative Law and Director of the Brazil-U.S. Program at AUWCL, hosted the program and acted as Moderator. This Symposium was also coordinated with the Justice & Citizenship Institute of Brazil, the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, and Judge Valter Shuenquener de Araujo, Federal Judge and Professor of Law in Brazil.