October 2, 2006 Source: :
http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/061002-2592.asp Faculty of Law forms unique
partnership with International Criminal
Court Collaboration is a
first in North America
Oct 2/06
by Jane Kidner This fall, the U of T law school’s International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC)
is joining forces with the International Criminal Court (ICC), office of the
prosecutor in The Hague, the Netherlands, to help the international court
address the most serious crimes of war crimes, crimes against humanity and
genocide when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so. The unique partnership with U of T law students and professors marks the
first time the ICC office of the prosecutor has sought advocacy and
litigation assistance from a law school in relation to its cases. The
ultimate goal of the court is to help prevent or reduce the deaths and
devastation caused by conflict.
ICC chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, said that the ICC office of the
prosecutor is a small office that relies heavily on networks of legal
support from a number of countries. "The mission of the ICC is to help
establish the rule of law around the world," said Moreno-Ocampo. "To achieve
that, we must rely heavily on legal research assistance and we are thrilled
that the new partnership with U of T students and faculty will now provide
us with valuable advocacy support." The U of T clinic opened its doors in 2003 and has litigated a number of
international human rights cases around the world since its inception.
Acting director and adjunct professor Darryl Robinson, an international
human rights lawyer, was formerly an adviser to the ICC prosecutor and one
of the architects of the ICC. Under his direction, students carry out
research and prepare the necessary court documents to provide justice for
victims of human rights violations. Cases have been heard in both Canadian
courts and foreign courts, as well as at regional and UN treaty bodies and
before international criminal tribunals. "We are enormously proud of the role our students and faculty have played in
the ongoing work of the ICC and we are excited to be able to further our
support with this innovative partnership," said Dean Mayo Moran. "The work
of the clinic is consistent with Canada’s longstanding support for bringing
human rights violators to justice and its role in the establishment of the
ICC." The U of T clinic provides students with substantive instruction in
international human rights law and training in advocacy skills. Through
casework such as client meetings, case theory formulation, international
legal research, appellate brief and factum writing and attendance at oral
argument, students are given an opportunity to contribute to global justice
efforts as well as exposure to the complexities of human rights
advocacy.
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