[Summer programme] Online summer law programme on international criminal law & international legal & comparative approaches to counter-terrorism

Are you interested in international criminal law and (legal aspects of) counter-terrorism? Are you looking for an opportunity to expand your knowledge on these issues? Then register now for the 15th Annual Summer Law Programme on International Criminal Law and International Legal & Comparative Approaches to Counter-Terrorism. This online course is the product of a unique collaboration between the War Crimes Research Office of American University’s Washington College of Law and the T.M.C. Asser Instituut and will take place from 1 June – 25 June 2021.

The programme for this event is out now.

Selected students from top US law colleges and universities will participate in an online training with internationally renowned legal practitioners and scholars. An additional ten places are available to other interested law students and professionals who wish to learn more about law and counter-terrorism. Sign up here to secure your seat!

Please note that, due to global time differences, this programme will start daily at 14.30 CET

What will you gain?

• A thorough insight into the latest developments in (the interplay between) international criminal law and legal aspects of counter-terrorism;
• The opportunity to engage in discussions and network with leading academics and legal professionals.
• A unique experience of studying and exchanging views with top students from the US;

Part one: International Criminal Law
In the first two weeks you will explore the past, present and future of international criminal law (ICL). Our programme provides a comprehensive overview of international crimes, criminal responsibility, immunities and amnesties. We will also cover practical matters in international criminal law, such as victim participation and defence issues. You will thoroughly analyse these topics on both the international and national level. During these two weeks, you will have the chance to experience the law in practice, by virtually visiting international and national courts and international organisations. You will also have a unique opportunity for a virtual meet and greet with Benjamin B. Ferencz, a former prosecutor at the Nuremberg war crime trials and peace advocate.

Topics include among others:

• Definition and evolution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide;
• Victim participation and reparations;
• State responsibility in international criminal law;
• Role of the International Criminal Court and other tribunals;
• Individual criminal and command responsibility;
• Universal jurisdiction and prosecuting international crimes domestically: the Dutch example.

Part two: International Legal & Comparative Approaches to Counter-Terrorism 
Since 9/11 the world is witnessing a large expansion of different approaches and measures to counter-terrorism. The second part of the summer programme focuses on various international legal & comparative approaches to counter-terrorism.

The course will begin by looking into the definitions of terrorism and counter-terrorism, and their evolution since 9/11. You will explore the jus ad bellum and jus in bello in counter-terrorism. We will look at the role of human rights law, including case studies on the use of armed drones and extraordinary renditions.

Other topics include (inter)national prosecution, foreign fighters, the role of intelligence in court, countering violent extremism, and rehabilitation and reintegration. Finally, through virtual study visits, you will experience (legal approaches to) counter-terrorism in practice.

Topics:

• Jus ad bellum and jus in bello in counter-terrorism;
• Human rights issues raised in the context of terrorism and counter-terrorism;
• National and international prosecutions;
• Foreign terrorist fighters phenomenon.

You can find the programme for the event here (find an overview of speakers and virtual visits below).

NB: It is possible to attend only one of the two programmes (International Criminal Law or International Legal & Comparative Approaches to Counter-Terrorism). Should this be the case, please include your preference in the registration form.

For whom?
Students and early-career professionals who are interested in studying international criminal law and/or the legal aspects of counter-terrorism.

Fee* 
Reduced fee for full summer programme (1 June - 25 June): €1.065
Reduced fee for the part on International Criminal Law (1 June – 11 June): €535
Reduced fee for the part on Counter-Terrorism (14 June – 25 June): €535

*Due to the Corona virus outbreak, the format of this summer programme has been changed into a digital format at a reduced fee.

After the successful completion of this course, you will receive a certificate of completion from the T.M.C. Asser Instituut.

Speakers:

• Judge Pocar
• Prof. Jørgensen, Professor of Public International Law and Deputy Head of School (Research) within the School of Law at the University of Southampton
• Eleni Chaitidou, Senior Legal Officer at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC)
• Amir Čengić, legal officer in the Office of the Legal Advisor at the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
• Barbara Goy, Senior Appeals Counsel in the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT)
• Najwa Nabti
• Gregory Townsend, Professor of the Practice, The Hague 
• Judge Howard Morrison, International Criminal Tribunal 
• Dr. Fabrico Guariglia, Director of the Prosecution Division, Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
• Simon Minks, National Senior Public Prosecutor of the Netherlands
• Dr. Yasmin Naqvi, Legal Officer in the Immediate Office of the Registrar of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals
• Paolina Massidda, Principal Counsel at the Office of Public Counsel for Victims ICC
• Dr. Bart Schuurman, Associate Professor at Leiden University's Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA)
• Prof. Kimberely Trapp, Vice Dean (International), and Professor of Public International Law at the Faculty of Laws, UCL
• Prof. Dr. Tom Ruys, Professor of Public International Law, University of Ghent
• Dr. Hans Boddens Hosang, Head of International Law at eh Ministry of Defense in the Netherlands
• Joanne Mariner, Interim Director of Law and Policy at Amnesty International
• Prof. Helen Duffy, Professor of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at eh University of Leiden
• Jessica Dorsey, Assistant Professor of International and European Law at Utrecht University School of Law and Associate Fellow at the International Center for Counter-Terrorism The Hague
• Jeanne Abdulla, co-founder of Human Security Collective
• Phil Gurski, President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd and Programme Director for the Security, Economics and Technology (SET) hub at the University of Ottowa's Professional Development Institute (PDI)
• Bibi van Ginkel, Research Fellow at ICCT and a coordinator of the Security Cluster of the Clingendael Research Department of the Netherlands Institute for International Relations
• Manuel Ventura, Legal Consultant for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Adjunct Fellow at the School of Law at Western Sydney University and external lecturer of international law at The Hague University of Applied Sciences
• Dr. Lars Otte

Virtual study visits:

• International Commission on Missing Persons
• Eurojust
• UN Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT)
• The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
• Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
  

Registration and questions
To register for the summer programme, please click here or on the red register button above to fill out the form. Please read the registration terms & conditions carefully before registration. For inquiries on registration and the programme, please contact educationtraining@asser.nl.

Contact
For more information or questions, please contact educationtraining@asser.nl.