2007-2008 Events
Challenges Remaining in the Final Years of the ad hoc Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda
Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; Hassan Jallow, Chief Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; and Clint Williamson, US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, discussed the challenges facing the ad hoc criminal tribunals during the final years of their mandate. This panel discussion was co-presented by the WCRO, the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, and the United States Institute of Peace. The event was held at the US State Department's offices in Washington, DC.
International Criminal Court Alumni Tour
WCL alumna Chante Lasco discussed her experience as an intern at the International Criminal Court, the world’s first permanent court set up to try persons accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, and spoke about how her international law experiences influence her current work as an Assistant State's Attorney in Maryland. This talk was presented by the War Crimes Research Office in conjunction with Amnesty International’s ICC Alumni Tour.
The International Judge
Daniel Terris of Brandeis University and Cesare P.R. Romano of Loyola Law School Los Angeles discussed their recent book, The International Judge, an examination of how the work of judges who serve on international courts and tribunals has changed the character of the world that we inhabit, through their rulings on issues of war and peace, human rights, trade disputes, and regional integration.
Current Issues at the Special Court for Sierra Leone
Herman von Hebel, who serves as Registrar for the Special Court for Sierra Leone, gave a briefing on recent progress on cases before the Special Court for Sierra Leone before an audience of WCL students, WCRO staff, and NGO representatives. He also discussed the unique challenges of trying former Liberian President Charles Taylor, whose trial is being held at International Criminal Court Premises in The Hague.
Crimes of War: What the Public Should Know
In 1999, the first edition of Crimes of War, a collection of essays and photographs intended to promote understanding of international humanitarian law among journalists, policymakers, and the general public, was published. The years since have seen the rise of the International Criminal Court, the emergence of a global "war on terror" and escalating humanitarian conflicts in Darfur and other regions. On November 14, Roy Gutman, Executive Director of the Crimes of War Project; Anthony Dworkin, Project founder and Board Chairman; and WCL Professors Bob Goldman and Diane Orentlicher spoke at a launch event celebrating the revised second edition of the book.
Transitional Justice in Afghanistan
Scott Worden , advisor to the Rule of Law program at the United States Institute of Peace. Mr. Worden will discussed the challenges facing the establishment of justice mechanisms in Afghanistan. This program was presented in conjunction with WCL's first annual International Week events.