October 15, 2009

Forum to look at models for international justice

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale later this month in honor of United Nations Day will examine international justice models.

“The International Criminal Court and Other Models for International Justice,” is set for 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 22, in the Hiram H. Lesar Law Building Courtroom, room 109, at the SIU School of Law.

The program is free and open to the public. Cindy Buys, an associate professor and director of international law programs at the SIU School of Law, will be the moderator. A reception follows the program in the law school’s formal lounge.

The SIU School of Law, the Southern Illinois chapter of the United Nations Association, and the International Law Society, sponsor the program.

The program will start with a short film clip from “The Reckoning: The Story of the International Court and Prosecutor Luis-Moreno-Ocampo.” The 2009 film was a selection in the U.S. Documentary competition at the Sundance Film Festival.

The speakers are:

  • Stephen Shulman, associate professor, political science, SIUC, on the United States and the International Criminal Court.
  • Lucian E. Dervan, assistant professor, SIU School of Law, on Ad Hoc International Criminal Tribunals.
  • Christopher W. Behan, assistant professor, SIU School of Law, on military tribunals.
  • Cindy Buys, associate professor, SIU School of Law, on truth and reconciliation commissions.

The forum’s goal is to provide information about some of the models being used internationally to bring justice to people in post-conflict situations, and “help them critically evaluate the pros and cons of these different models,” Buys said.

Oct. 24 marks the 64th anniversary of the ratification of the United Nations charter by the United States, China, France, the former Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and a majority of other signatories, according to the United Nations.

The United Nations Association-USA “is dedicated to building understanding and support for the ideals and work of the United Nations,” Buys said. International Justice is one of the UNA advocacy themes for 2009, she said.