PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMISSION鈥橲 CURRENT WORK
The Permanent Missions of Austria and Kenya to the United Nations in Geneva co-hosted a panel discussion with members of the International Law Commission. This event took place on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The panel covered four key topics in-depth:
1. Immunity of State Officials from Foreign Criminal Jurisdiction:
The discussions explored the complexity and legal frameworks governing state leaders' immunity when facing criminal accusations in other countries. This included an examination of recent cases, the principles of international law that regulate immunity, and the balance between state sovereignty and accountability for serious crimes.
2. Sea-Level Rise in Relation to International Law:
The panel addressed the growing worry about sea-level rise due to climate change and its consequences for international law. Topics covered included the legal status of submerged regions, the rights and obligations of states affected by rising sea levels, and the probable need for new legal instruments to address these issues.
3. Settlement of Disputes to Which International Organizations Are Parties:
The debate centered on the procedures and legal processes available for settling disputes between international organizations. This includes an examination of existing dispute resolution structures, the role of international courts and tribunals, and the problems that international organizations face in reaching effective and equitable solutions.
4. The Role of the ILC鈥檚 Drafting Committee:
The role and function of the International Law Commission鈥檚 Drafting Committee were highlighted, emphasizing its importance in the development and codification of international law. The discussion covered the Committee's processes, recent achievements, and ongoing projects, illustrating how its work contributes to the clarity and advancement of international legal standards.
Panelists included ILC Special Rapporteurs and Chairs:
- Professor Claudio Grossman Guiloff (USA): Dean Emeritus, Raymond Geraldson Scholar for International and Humanitarian Law (小蓝视频WCL), and Board of Faculty Co-Director of 小蓝视频 Washington College of Law's Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.
- Professor Nil眉fer Oral (T眉rkiye).
- Professor Phoebe Okowa (Kenya).
- Professor August Reinisch (Austria).
The event aimed to provide insight into the International Law Commission鈥檚 current work and offered an opportunity to exchange views on these important topics.