International Law Prof Blog

ILSA Conference in Chicago

The 2012 International Conference of the International Law Students Association (ILSA) has just finished in Chicago at The John Marshall Law School.  

The keynote lecture was given by Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni of DePaul University College of Law, who spoke at length on the "Realpolitik" of International Law.  He shared experiences from his work at the United Nations and various international criminal tribunals.

Students from around the world came to the conference, one coming even from India.  The ILSA International Conference had previously been held in other countries but was being held this year for the first time in the United States.  It was organized by the International Law Societies of The John Marshall Law School and the Facultad Libre de Derecho de Monterrey (Mexico), in cooperation with the ILSA International Headquarters Office (which is located in Chicago).

Partner organizations attending the conference included the International Bar Association and the International Law Section of the American Bar Association.

(mew)

UN FAO Director Calls on Academics to Help Fight Hunger

The Director General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, José Graziano da Silva, called on academics to get more involved in research to help reduce rural poverty and assist small-scale farmers as part of the global fight against hunger.  “One of the great
challenges we have today is to use academic knowledge to understand and improve the life of rural populations throughout the world,” he said in a speech at the World Congress of Rural Sociology in Lisbon, Portugal. “To do so, we need to look at the reality outside of university walls.” 

Mr. Graziano da Silva outlined the most pressing issues in the fight against hunger, including food insecurity, nutrient deficiencies, unsafe food and unequal competition between small-scale and large food producers. He called on academics to conduct research into these areas to advance discussions on responsible agricultural investments and food security.

Mr. Graziano da Silva also pointed to the integration of small-scale farmers into the agricultural
chain and the issue of governance in this sector as additional areas of academic concern adding that “there is a growing concentration in the agricultural and food chain, and this has an impact on small-scale farmers.”

Partnerships in policy research should also look into how food can be distributed more efficiently both at a global and a local level,” the FAO chief said. “If we want more people eating healthy diets, based on fresh foods, we will need to reduce transportation and storage costs, but also food waste and loss.”

In addition, he called on academia to come up with proposals to improve the working conditions
in rural labour markets, which are often extremely poor and lack social protection measures. “All these issues need better conceptual clarification and practical proposals from academics and policymakers,” Mr. Graziano da Silva said.

While many of the issues he identified are only tangentially related to law, perhaps academics in the legal field should give more thought to how our research with respect to the rule of law, international trade and transportation and related topics can assist in this effort.

(cgb) (Adapted from a UN Press Release)

ILSA Conference Next Monday and Tuesday in Chicago

The International Law Students Association (ILSA) will hold a two-day international conference next Monday (July 30) and Tuesday (July 31) at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago.  It's being organized by John Marshall's sister school in Mexico, the Facultad Libre de Derecho de Monterrey (FLDM).  The 2012 ILSA International Conference is the first one to be held in the United States, although the programming was coordinated through the FLDM in Mexico.  FLDM appears to have one of the largest (if not the largest) ILSA chapters in the world.

Registration for the ILSA Conference opens at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10:30 a.m. Monday with a panel on "The Top Five Legal Issues New International Lawyers Face."  The Keynote Address at 1:30 p.m. will be given by Professor M. Cherif Bassiouni of DePaul University School of Law, who will speak on "How to Be a Realistic Idealist and Enhance International Criminal Justice and Human Right in Light of State Interests and Realpolitik."  From 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. there will be a session on how ILSA chapters can network and build programs.  The session will focus on the benefits and programming ideas for ILSA chapters." The Monday programming concludes with an opening reception.

On Tuesday, July 31, the conference will have a session from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. on "How to Succeed at the Jessup Moot Court Competition."  (ILSA is the group that organizes each year the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.)

From 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. there will be a panel on "The International Court of Justice: Can its Founders' 20th Century Ambitions be Realized in the 21st Century?"  Speakers for this panel will be:

• Djurdja Lazic, American Society of International Law
• Professor James Gathii, Wing-Tat Lee Chair in International Law, Loyola University Chicago
• Professor Nienke Grossman, University of Baltimore School of Law
• Professor Ved Nanda, Thompson Marsh Professor of Law, University of Denver Sturm College of Law
• Associate Dean Andrew L. Strauss, Widener University School of Law

The Tuesday afternoon programming will include a panel on "Pathways to Employment in International Law," sponsored by the American Bar Association Section of International Law.  That will be followed by a closing address by Ambassador David Scheffer, who is now a professor at Northwestern University School of Law.

There are still a few spots open if you want to attend.  The programs will be interesting and the focus of the conference will help international law societies get off to a good start for the coming year.  Get more information about the 2012 ILSA International conference at the ILSA website.

(mew)

Chavez Announces Venezuela's Withdrawal from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights

In an unfortunate move, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced yesterday that Venezuela will withdraw from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.  President Chavez allegedly believes that the Inter-American Court is too heavily influenced by the United States; is improperly intervening in domestic matters; and is undermining leftist governments in South America. 

His announcement comes following a May decision of the Inter-American Court determining that Venezuela violated its international human rights obligations for holding a prisoner in inhumane jail conditions.  Earlier this month, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the Court's sister agency, referred another case involving extrajudicial killings of two teenage brothers in Venezuela to the Inter-American Court. 

The Inter-American Commission has criticized Venezuela's human rights record in the past.  For example, in 2010, the IACHR issued a report entitled Democracy and Human Rights in Venezuela in which it concluded that Venezuelans suffer restrictions on the enjoyment of their human rights.

Venezuela will not be the first state to attempt to withdraw from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.  Both Peru and Trinidad and Tobago have announced their withdrawals in the past (despite a ruling by the Inter-American Court held that its statute does not contain a method for withdrawal).

(cgb)

Doing Business in Latin America

The Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Global Narcotics Affairs Subcommittee, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will hold a hearing on July 31, 2012 at 2:15 p.m.  The hearing is titled “Doing Business in Latin America: Positive Trends but Serious Challenges.” It's open to the Public and will be held in Room 419 Dirksen in Washington DC.

Hat tip to the ABA Governmental Affairs Office

(mew)

U.N. Compensation Commission Pays Out $1.3 Billion to Six Claimants for Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait in 1990

The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), which settles the damage claims of those who suffered losses due to Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait, today made $1.3 billion available to six successful claimants. 

The latest round of payments brings the total amount of compensation disbursed by the Commission to $37.7 billion for more than 1.5 million successful claims of individuals, corporations, Governments and international organizations, states a news release. Successful claims are paid with funds drawn from the UN Compensation Fund, which is funded by a percentage of the proceeds generated by the export sales of Iraqi petroleum and petroleum products. 

The Geneva-based UNCC’s Governing Council has identified six categories of claims: four are for individuals’ claims, one for corporations and one for governments and international organizations, which also includes claims for environmental damage.

The Commission was established in 1991 as a subsidiary organ of the UN Security Council. It has received nearly three million claims, including from nearly 100 governments for themselves, their nationals or their corporations.

(UN Press Release)

Vanuatu to Become 157th Member of WTO

Today, at the World Trade Organization (WTO) General Council, Vanuatu gave official notice that it has ratified its accession package which spells out its WTO membership terms. Vanuatu will join the WTO on 24 August 2012, becoming the 157th member of the WTO.

(cgb)

Dispute Resolution Updates from the WTO

Earlier this month, we reported that China had blocked the formation of a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute resolution panel requested by the United States to consider claims by the United States, the European Union and Japan that China is violating its WTO obligations with respect to its treatment of exports of rare earths.  At its meeting earlier today, the WTO approved the establishment of the panel, so resolution of this dispute will now move forward from the failed consulation stage. 

Also today, India  requested for the first time the establishment of a panel to consider countervailing measures applied by the United States on certain hot-rolled carbon steel products from India, which India considers to be inconsistent with US obligations under several provisions of the Subsidies Agreement and the GATT 1994 (WT/DS436).  The United States rejected the claim and said that it was not in a position to  agree to the establishment of a panel, so this matter will have to await the next Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) meeting scheduled for August 31.

The DSB also adopted the panel report in the case concerning anti-dumping measures on certain shrimp and diamond sawblades from China (WT/DS422/R). The United States said that it  intends to implement the recommendations and rulings of the DSB. Both members  informed the DSB that they have agreed that the “reasonable period of time” for compliance will be eight months.

The DSB also adopted the panel and Appellate Body reports in the case concerning country of origin labelling  (COOL) requirements that involved Mexico and Canada against the United States (WT/DS384 and 386).

 More information on these matters may be found on the WTO website.

(cgb)

Russian President Putin Signs WTO Accession Protocol

After 18 years, Russia is poised to become the 156th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). President Putin of Russia signed the accession agreement to join the WTO yesterday after receiving approval from Russia's legislative bodies earlier this month.  Russia's membership will take effect in 30 days.  Russia's economy is the 9th largest economy in the world and the largest currently outside the WTO.

(cgb)

ICJ Rules That Senegal Must Prosecute or Extradite

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its decision today finding that the Republic of Senegal has an obligation to bring proceedings against Mr. Hissene Habre or extradite him to face trial elsewhere. Mr. Habre is the former president of the Republic of Chad and is accused of crimes under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) during his time in office. Belgium instituted proceedings in 1999 against Senegal (where Mr. Habre has been residing as a political asylee) pursuant to CAT to force Senegal to prosecute or extradite Mr. Habre to Belgium to face prosecution there.

The ICJ found that Senegal violated its obligations under CAT by failing to enact implementing legislation that would establish universal jurisdiction over acts of torture occurring in another country in its domestic courts, and taking other actions that prevented the prosecution of Mr. Habre in Senegal.

This decision is certainly a legal victory in a number of ways. It establishes ICJ jurisdiction under CAT; it affirms and strengthens the erga omnes obligation to prevent and punish torture; and it helps to bring accountability to ruthless dictators. However, Senegal has managed to drag its feet in prosecuting Mr. Habre for many years. It remains to be seen whether the international community will take action to enforce this ICJ judgment against Senegal and ensure that Mr. Habre is held accountable for his actions.

(cgb)

Save the Date: Global Legal Skills Conference in Costa Rica (March 2013)

The next Global Legal Skills Conference will be held in San Jose, Costa Rica, from March 8-11, 2013.  The call for presentations will go out next month, with the first round of proposals due in October.

After that, the Global Legal Skills Conference will be held in Verona, Italy in late May 2014.

(mew)

Dominican Republic Files Complaint Against Australia at WTO

Yesterday, the Dominican Republic notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat of a request for consultations with Australia “on certain measures concerning trademarks, geographical indications and other plain packaging requirements applicable to tobacco products and packaging” (WT/DS441/1).  Australia's laws are said to violate several provisions of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPs) Agreement, the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).  If consultations do not resolve the matter within 60 days, the DR may request the establishment of a panel.

In March and April 2012, Ukraine and Honduras requested consultations with Australia on this same issue (DS434 and DS435 respectively).  Several other countries have requested to join the consultations, which are ongoing.

(cgb)

EC Reports on Bulgaria and Romania Raise Rule of Law Concerns

The European Commission issued progress reports yesterday on the rule of law in Bulgaria and Romania which indicates continued concerns in both countries.  Overall, the reports indicate that both countries have made some progress, but that there is much more work to be done on issues of judicial independence, organized crime and corruption.  Romania particularly was criticized for undermining the competence of its constitutional court; whereas Bulgaria was told that it must make more inroads against high-level corruption and organized crime.

For a more detailed summary, read the EU Observer report.  To read the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism Reports themselves, visit the EU website.

(cgb)

Russia and China Veto U.N. Security Council Resolution on Syria

Despite the appeals for united and concerted action to help end the escalating violence in Syria, the United Nations Security Council today failed to adopt a resolution that would have threatened sanctions on Damascus, owing to the negative votes of permanent members Russia and China. 
 
Eleven of the Council’s 15 members voted in favor of the resolution’s text.  Two other members – Pakistan and South Africa – abstained. A veto by any one of the Council’s five permanent members means a resolution cannot be adopted. 

Ahead of today’s action, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, along with the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States for the Syrian Crisis, Kofi Annan, repeatedly expressed the hope that the Council could reach agreement on a course of collective action to end the bloodshed in the Middle Eastern country.

The UN estimates that more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Syria and tens of thousands displaced since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began some 16 months ago. 

The Security Council is also expected to make a decision today on the future of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), which recently suspended its regular patrols due to the escalating violence on the ground and whose 90-day mandate expires tomorrow. 

The Mission was set up to monitor the cessation of violence in Syria, as well as monitor and support the full implementation of the six-point peace plan put forward by Mr. Annan. That plan calls for an end to violence, access for humanitarian agencies to provide relief to those in need, the release of detainees, the start of inclusive political dialogue, and unrestricted access to the country for the international media.

“It pains me to say, but we are not on the track for peace in Syria and the escalations we have witnessed in Damascus over the past few days is a testimony to that,” the Mission’s head and Chief Military Observer, Major-General Robert Mood, told reporters in the Syrian capital today.

A bomb attack on the National Security Headquarters building in Damascus yesterday killed and wounded several Government officials. Among those killed were Syria’s defence minister and his deputy. There were also reports of clashes between Syrian Government forces and opposition fighters in several neighbourhoods of the city.

Maj.-Gen. Mood noted that it is for the Council to decide the fate of UNSMIS and the UN political and military presence in Syria. “It is no secret that its members are divided on what actions are needed to end the killing and begin a political transition process,” he stated. “For the sake of the Syrian people we need effective leadership from the Security Council and genuine unity around a political plan that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people and that is accepted by the parties,” he added.

(Adapted from a UN Press Release) (mew)

U.N. Security Council Calls on Israel and Lebanon to Continue Work

The United Nations Security Council said it is encouraged by the stability that continues to prevail across the so-called Blue Line separating Israel and Lebanon, and emphasized the need to move forward on all outstanding issues regarding the implementation of relevant resolutions.  In a statement issued to the press on Wednesday night, the 15-member body “urged the parties to continue working within the framework of the tripartite mechanism, in order to progress notably on the marking of the Blue Line.”
 
The statement came after a closed-door meeting in which the Council was briefed by the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Derek Plumbly, and the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous, on the Secretary-General’s latest report on the implementation of resolution 1701, which helped end the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hizbollah.

The resolution calls for respect for the Blue Line, the disarming of all militias in Lebanon, and an end to arms smuggling in the area. While the resolution has largely been respected over the past six years, but there has been little progress towards an envisaged permanent ceasefire.

Mr. Plumbly told reporters after the briefing that he got “both a strong sense of the value and the importance of what UNIFIL [UN Interim Force in Lebanon] is doing with the parties to sustain what has been a very extended period of calm across the Blue Line, but also a concern about some of those issues which really have been outstanding for a long period and which continue to require attention.”

Council members also welcomed Lebanese President Michel Sleiman’s initiative in reconvening the National Dialogue of the country’s political leaders and the declarations adopted following the first two meetings, and looked forward to the continuation of this process.  “The commitment of the country’s leaders to safeguarding Lebanon from the impact of regional tensions at this difficult time is particularly important,” they stated.  In its statement, the Council also expressed grave concern over repeated incidents of cross-border fire, incursions, abductions, and arms trafficking across the Lebanese-Syrian border as well as other border violations.

(From a UN Press Release) (mew)

Chebaya Murder Trial

The United Nations human rights chief has called for the appeal trial in the case of a murdered Congolese human rights defender, Floribert Chebeya Bahizire, and the disappearance of his driver, to fully respect international standards of due process.  “The importance of this trial cannot be overstated,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, said in a news release issued earlier this week. “Mr. Chebeya was a pioneer of the human rights movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and his murder sent a devastating blow to human rights defenders across the country.”

Mr. Chebeya was found assassinated on June 1, 2010 on the outskirts of DRC’s capital, Kinshasa. More than a year later, the military court of Kinshasa/Gombe convicted five policemen, three of them in absentia, of murder, illegal arrest and detention, as well as abduction.  The Inspector-General of the National Congolese Police was suspended in connection with the case in 2010, but was never formally charged. The next hearing of the ongoing appeal trial is scheduled to take place today.

“A number of due process issues have been raised about the original trial, including that key witnesses were not interviewed,” Ms. Pillay said, calling on the Congolese judicial authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure that the appeal is fully in line with international standards of due process. “Given the possible involvement of high-level authorities in these crimes, it would be advisable to appoint sufficiently high-ranking judges to preside over the trial,” she added.

The High Commissioner also noted serious concerns about the security and proper preservation of important new information that has recently come to light.  “Any evidence must be secured and preserved with great care,” she said.  Ms. Pillay noted that two years after Mr. Chebeya’s murder, the situation of human rights defenders in the DRC remains precarious, and that the conduct of this case will be seen “as a reflection of the new Government’s commitment to the independence of the judiciary and respect for due process.” She also called on the DRC’s new Parliament to adopt draft laws for the protection of human rights defenders, as well as for the creation of an independent national human rights commission as soon as possible, and reiterated her office’s readiness to provide assistance to the Congolese authorities to this end.

(Adapted from a UN Press Release) (mew)

New Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Adama Dieng of Senegal, currently serving as Registrar of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), as his Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide.  Mr. Dieng will replace Francis Deng of Sudan, who has served in the post since 2007. 

As a legal and human rights expert, Mr. Dieng has a distinguished career in contributing to the strengthening of rule of law, fighting impunity and promoting capacity building in the area of judicial and democratic institutions, including through fact-finding missions, publications and media, according to a note announcing the appointment. He has also contributed to the establishment of several non-governmental organizations in Africa; served on the International Commission of Jurists; served as the UN Independent Expert for Haiti; acted as Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Malawi; and was the driving force behind the establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.  Mr. Dieng, 62, also has experience with a number of international organizations, including the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The Office of the Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide was set up in 2004 in recognition of the international community’s collective failure to prevent or stop past genocides. It is tasked by the Security Council with collecting and assessing information on situations that might lead to genocide. It is also mandated to advise the Secretary-General and, through him, the Security Council, and make recommendations to prevent or halt genocide, as well as to liaise with the UN system on preventive measures and enhance the UN’s capacity to analyze and manage information on genocide or related crimes.

(Adapted from a UN Press Release) (mew)

Israeli Tour Bus Attacked in Bulgaria

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the deadly bombing attack on a bus carrying Israeli tourists in Bulgaria earlier this week.  His spokesperson expressed the Secretary-General's condolences to the victims and their families, to the Governments and people of Bulgaria, and to Israel.  According to media reports, the bus was outside of the airport of the city of Burgas when it exploded, killing at least seven and injuring more than 30 people, some critically.

(mew) (Adapted from a UN Press Release)

Bomb Attack at National Security Headquarters in Damascus

Expressing alarm over the intensifying violence in Syria, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemns yesterday’s bomb attack at the National Security Headquarters in Damascus, according to his spokesperson.  “The Secretary-General reiterates that acts of violence committed by any party are unacceptable and a clear violation of the six-point plan,” the spokesperson added in a statement. “He is also gravely concerned about reports of the continued use of heavy weapons by the Syrian security forces, including in the Damascus area, against civilians, despite repeated Syrian government assurances that such weapons would be withdrawn.”

According to media reports, a high-level meeting was underway in the National Security Headquarters building when the attack occurred, killing and wounding Government officials. Amongst those said to have been killed are Syria’s defense minister and his deputy. Media reports also noted that the Free Syrian Army has claimed responsibility for the bombing, as has another opposition group. In addition, there have been reports of clashes between Syrian Government forces and opposition fighters in several neighbourhoods of Damascus. 

Put forward earlier this year by the Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States for the Syrian Crisis, Kofi Annan, the six-point plan calls for an end to violence, access for humanitarian agencies to provide relief to those in need, the release of detainees, the start of inclusive political dialogue, and unrestricted access to the country for the international media.

“The deteriorating situation in Syria underscores the extreme urgency for all sides to stop armed violence in all its forms, implement the six point plan and move swiftly towards a political dialogue and a peaceful democratic Syrian-led transition,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said.  He noted that the Secretary-General urges the Security Council to “shoulder its responsibility and take collective and effective action on the basis of UN Charter obligations and in the view of the seriousness of the situation on the ground.” 

Council members are expected to meet on Thursday to discuss the crisis in Syria, which has continued unabated since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began some 16 months ago. The UN estimates that more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Syria and tens of thousands displaced.  In addition, the mandate of the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) – which recently suspended its regular patrols due to the escalating violence on the ground – ends on July 20, 2012, with Council members expected to decide on its future before then.  The Council established UNSMIS in April to monitor the cessation of violence in Syria, as well as monitor and support the full implementation of the Joint Special Envoy’s six-point peace plan.

Both Secretary-General Ban and Joint Special Envoy Annan have previously expressed the hope that the Council can reach agreement on a course of action for the situation in the Middle Eastern country.

(Adapted from a UN Press Release) (mew)

UN Officials Urge Member States to Consider Reforms to Strengthen Human Rights Treaty Body System

Yesterday, Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Nassir Abdulaziz
Al-Nasser, President of the General Assembly, urged member states to take action to strengthen the United Nations' human rights treaty body system.  The system and has doubled in size over the past 12 years and needs reform to make it more effective.  Porposed reforms include better coordination of the 10 human rights treaty bodies and scheduling of member state reporting, as well as increased use of technology. To read the news report, click here. 

(cgb)