Reporting on Conflict | Media Watch Blog

• News source:
• 27 July 2012
• UN OHCHR

GENEVA – States that are currently negotiating the first legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty must make the most of this opportunity to limit and regulate the arms trade in a way that prevents grave human rights violations, the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Mr. Alfred de Zayas, urged on Friday.

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In partnership with the Clingendael Institute of International Relations, The Hague Symposium on Post-Conflict Transitions & International Justice will be held in The Netherlands from July 21 – August 18, 2012 and will bring together 60-80 of the world’s brightest young minds from top law schools, graduate institutions, international organizations, judiciaries, grassroots justice movements, and the military. Over a four-week period, participants will undergo intensive training from the field’s premier political leaders, academic experts, practitioners, and advocates in the skills necessary to holistically restructure a society after the cessation of violent conflict and/or authoritarian rule, as well as bring those responsible for human rights violations to justice.  Participants will gain a broad understanding of this emerging field, including concepts, controversies, and institutions, as well as critically examine the historical and contemporary uses of different justice interventions through direct interactions with the actual decision makers.  In light of the Arab Spring and the increasing reach of the International Criminal Court, this training could not be more timely or necessary.

Through formal lectures, site visits to International Tribunals and Courts, and interactive simulations and workshops (as well as in informal settings), emerging leaders selected to attend will increase their understanding of strengthening legitimate institutions and governance to provide security, justice, and development and break cycles of violence; skills that are instrumental in ensuring long-term stability and preventing conflicts from recurring. In addition, students will have the option to earn LLM course credit from the Grotius Center for International Legal Studies at Leiden University; consistently ranked as one of the world’s top centers for education in international law.

The academics in The Hague will focus both on dilemmas and process, including the following key areas of interest:

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