The International Law Centre, together with the International Legal Assistance Consortium and the Swedish Network for Transition Justice, has the pleasure of inviting you to take part in a panel discussion on transitional justice and the conflict in Syria on 11 February:
Transitional justice and the conflict in Syria – progress, opportunities and lessons learned
The armed conflict in Syria, ongoing for over five years now, has devastated the lives of people living in the country and profoundly highlighted the impact of armed conflict on international peace and security. The international community has taken some measures to address the conflict, including the passing of Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) obliging Member States to criminalise the act of nationals and other persons travelling from their territories for the purpose of terrorism, and documenting violations of human rights and the law of armed conflict by the International Independent Commission of Inquiry in the Syrian Arab Republic.
With prospects of peace under discussion, many questions face the Syrian people assisted by the international community. For example, how should the work done in documenting violations of international legal standards and ensuring accountability be taken forward? What lessons can be learned in investigating, finding and documenting missing persons from other conflicts, and what are the hopes for the situation in Syria?
Against this background, this event will discuss the progress, opportunities and lessons learned in addressing violations committed in the conflict in Syria.
Date and time: Thursday 11 February 2016, 16:00-17:30
Location: Sverigesalen
Address: Försvarshögskolan, Drottning Kristnas Väg 37
Language: English
Programme:
16:00 Sally Longworth, Försvarshögskolan - Introduction and welcome
16:05 Sareta Ashraph, Senior Analyst, International Independent Commission of Inquiry in the Syrian Arab Republic
16:25 Dr. Ola Engdahl, Associate Professor of International Law, Försvarshögskolan and member of the Swedish inquiry into the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) and its relation to international humanitarian law
16:45 Kathryne Bomberger, Head of the International Commission for Missing Persons
17:05 Questions from the audience
17:30 End - Drinks available in the officers mess
Please register your interest in attending the event with Sally.Longworth@fhs.se and feel free to forward the information to others who may be interested in the event.
Background on the Swedish Transitional Justice
Network:
The network is comprised of Swedish civil
society organisations and academic researchers active in international
development, peace and conflict, human rights and rule of law issues. The
network was initiated by the Swedish Foundation for Human Rights with the
support of International Legal Assistance Consortium.
Sally Longworth contributed a chapter on 'Sentencing at the International Criminal Court' in the newly published The Defence in International Criminal Trials, edited by Dr. Mayeul Hiéramente and Dr. Patricia Schneider. The book is a compiles observations from practitioners and researchers on the role of the Defence at the ad hoc international criminal tribunals and the International Criminal Court. Further information is available here.
Jann Kleffner has contributed the chapter on 'Sources of the Law of Armed Conflict' in the newly published Routledge Handbook of the Law of Armed Conflict, edited by Rain Liivoja and Tim McCormack. The Handbook provides a unique perspective on the field covering all the key aspects of the law as well as identifying developing and often contentious areas of interest. The handbook features original pieces by international experts in the field, including academics, staff of relevant NGOs and (former) members of the armed forces. 