Rome Statute: The International Criminal Court
We are a group of US students striving for a deeper understanding of the International Criminal Court, the U.S., and The Hague Tradition
Where we had thought to travel outward, we will come to the center of our own existence. And where we had thought to be alone, we will be with all of the world -Joseph Campbell.
Pictured from left to right are: 1) Dustin Sigsbee (seated); 2) Megan Blue; 3) Josh Brown; 4) Jacob Comfort; 5) Erica Maylee; and 6) Kiel Martyn (seated)
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Connecting The Dots
A Grotian Moment (www.grotianmoment.com) was a celebration for the 10 year anniversary of the International Criminal Court entering into force. The event also commemorated the United State’s devotion to international justice since the 1899 Hague Peace Conference. A wreath placed by the US on the tomb of Hugo Grotius in the Niewe Kerk in Delft, Netherlands during the 1899 Hague Peace was cleaned for the first time as well as presenting a new wreath. The event included key speakers, Arthur Eyffinger, John Washburn, and US Ambassador of War Crimes, Stephen Rapp.
Sitting in the Niewe Kerk that day and for weeks after, I was astonsihed by my role in the project. I couldn’t believe that civil society could make such a huge wave in the world of International Criminal Law, let alone a small group of students from Central Michigan University. Anything is possible. This drove my decision to look for programs to further this fast growing interest of mine. I was lucky enough to receieve a scholarship to study Humanitarian Law at Leiden Univeristy on exchange for the Spring 2013 semester. I write this blog to you from my dorm room at Leiden University. This is where the real connections began.
Within my first weeks of classes at Leiden, I began to meet students from all over the world and became fast friends with a woman named Danean from Vancouver, Canada. Like me, she was pursuing a degree in Political Science and had really no idea what she was going to do with it. For a class assignment we had to choose a city in the Netherlands, explore a bit, and write a report on the culture we observed there. After weeks of Danean hearing what I loved about Delft she wanted me to show her around. The first sight on the list- the Niewe Kerk. We set out early that morning, got off the train in Delft and headed straigh for the church (it’s hard to miss from anywhere in the city center). She was amazed as soon as she walked in. I showed her to Grotius’ Tomb and explained what A Grotian Moment looked like. She too, was amazed that someone who wasn’t a high ranking government official could do something so big. We then got to talking about The Hague Peace Conferences and the advancement of international criminal law. I explained that the first step towards a governing body of peace was the Permanent Court of Arbitration which is based in the Peace Palace. Her response- “What’s the Peace Palace?” After a quick lunch and small briefing on Andrew Carneige and his choice to fund the building of the Peace Palace, we were on a trip to The Hague to have Danean experience the Peace Palace in its amazing glory.
Once we arrived at the Peace Palace, we went straight to the library and talked a bit more humanitarian law. Danean’s university had never exposed her to the world of human rights, humanitarian law and international criminal law. Like too many students, Danean had never learned about the ICC and its goal to end impunity worldwide. We explored the grounds of the Peace Palace while planning a day to visit the ICC.
The next week, Danean and I were on our way back The Hague and this time set for a tour of the International Criminal Court. During the question/answer session offered at the Court, Danean came with numerous questions- she really lit up over this subject. Although there was no open trial in the courtroom the day we were there, Danean turned to me and said “can’t you feel the history that has happened in this very room”. It was that moment that I realized I wasn’t crazy, someone else felt the same way I did about this subject. We explored the member states of the ICC and the signatories of the Rome Statute and debated why certain states were and weren’t ratifying the document. It was the perfect afternoon.
Being able to connect my love for The Netherlands with A Grotian Moment and the ICC reinforced an important lesson- education is everything. All too often I find that some students are so caught up in their degree be it Political Science, Biology, Law, Philosophy, Teaching, ect. They fail to see the world around them. For my first three years of college I always thought that ‘Political Science’ (my major) defined everything that I was going to do. Until my professor, Dr. Hope May, was able to connect to me. She shared the world of international criminal law and justice with me. It helped me to see my true potential, where my interests are, and motivated me to reach for more. All it took was teaching me about the world outside of my coursework at Central Michigan University. It was amazing watching this same passion come alive after two days spent showing Danean the same things I had learned. Just a simple lesson about an unknown topic propelled me into adjusting my life so I could live that passion. Danean used her new knowledge to enroll in a few law courses that focus on humanitarian law at her home university so that she is able to explore the field . A small connection can inspire a spark and a huge flame.
“Only Connect.”
Now, we know that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is not the same court as the ICC. So why discuss the ICJ on romestatute.com? Simple. The Peace Palace 100 year anniversary is upon us (August 28, 2013) and therefore this is an important moment for those interested in international justice and the ‘Peace through Law’ movement in which the ICC is squarely positioned. Further, the history of the Peace Palace is connected with the abolition of war (the Peace Palace was built to house the Permanent Court of Arbitration which was supposed to replace the law for force with the force of law). The crime of aggression - which is one of the crimes found in the Rome Statute - is the clear legacy of the Arbitration Movement that led to the creation of the Peace Palace.
“Piece of the Palace” is a constellation of activities celebrating the Centenary of the Peace Palace. One ‘arm’ of this constellation is an educational outreach project called ‘Points of Light’ which involves 30 different partners involved in education about the moment. The first Point of Light is the Law School of the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. Their educational event about the Peace Palace Centenary is described below and the flyer for this event can be seen above.
Fore more information about “Piece of the Palace”, visit the website here.
In honor of the 100 year anniversary of the Peace Palace at The Hague, students are invited to have lunch with International Court of Justice, Judge Joan E. Donoghue at the University of Idaho College of Law!
The International Court of Justice (also known as the World Court) is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations and is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. The docket of the ICJ includes cases between countries over topics ranging from environmental and human rights claims to border disputes, the use of military force and the establishment of new countries.
Judge Donoghue was elected to the 15-member International Court of Justice in 2010, and is the first female U.S. judge elected to the court, and only the third female judge elected in the court’s history. Prior to being elected, Judge Donoghue was the principle deputy in the U.S. Department of State Office of the Legal Adviser where her primary duties included advising Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other officials on all aspects of international law. In 2009, she received the Distinguished Honor Award, the highest honor given by the secretary of state. Additionally, she received the Presidential Rank Award at the meritorious level, a recognition that requires presidential approval.
Judge Donoghue will share her insights on her role at the ICJ and a career in international law.
The event will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, at 11:30am in Room 103. Lunch will be provided by the International Law Student Association and the Women’s Law Caucus.
Don’t miss out on this historic event!
The Gift That Keeps Giving
This post is a follow-up to my last entry form this summer explaining the most important thing I learned. In that post, I came to the conclusion that the most important thing I learned this summer was something about myself. I learned that in order to do amazing things, you must first be able to take a leap of faith- dream big, give it all you got. I returned to Mt. Pleasant and the campus of Central Michigan more motivated than I had ever been in my entire college career. More importantly, excited to get started on that next step and see what the ominous future had to offer. My first day back I submitted an application to a scholarship program that would allow me to study at Leiden University for the Spring semester of 2013, my final semester as an undergrad. After long weeks of waiting I finally got word that I was accepted on exchange and would be returning to The Netherlands. As I sit here and write this down, I still can’t believe that I am here, in Leiden, studying Human Rights and International Law.
I always referred to this summer as a once in a lifetime opportunity- which it was. But what I hadn’t realized at the time was that leaving The Hague didn’t have to be a goodbye, or even a “see you later”, I had been able to factor The Hague into my own future, goals and aspirations. How? My summer study abroad program offered me so much more than I could have ever expected in that aspect. Not only was I able to learn about the field of International Criminal Law but I was able to see it, experience it, and play a first hand role in commemorating its progress. Yet, its even deeper than that. I was able to realize that I had a place amongst it all. I wasn’t quite sure where, and I still don’t neccessarily know the ‘right’ path (if there is such a thing) but I knew one important thing- I belonged. A place, a city, a job doesn’t define who you are and doesn’t make the process any easier however, chasing your dreams and finding where you belong does. And that is what I am able to do. Central Michigan University and the summer program in The Hague gave me the confidence to realize my true potential, to find something I am truly passionate about, and allowed me to see that I can truly be a part of something bigger than myself.
If you are reading this post in the process of deciding whether or not to take your first step by applying to this program my advice to you is to jump- do it. Every student who has returned has brought their experiences back to Mt. Pleasant and changed in different ways. For me, it was an entire new path in life while for others it was choosing to teach about this subject and spread knowledge of a field so many know so little about. As I write to you, I am waiting for word on acceptance to two universities- Leiden and Notre Dame. Six months ago I would have never dreamed I would be in a position to apply for a Master’s degree or be ready to have a permanent residence in another country. This summer really did turn my world upside down but I have never happier. All the pieces are finally falling into place and the amount of doors that have opened is astounding.
A quote from the great Eleanor Roosevelt seems to explain this idea more eloquently than I—
“We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot.”
The International Court system was built because people searched for a solution to a problem happening world wide- empunity, crimes against humanity, genocide, crimes of war. There were hurdles and undoubtedly resistance pushing against progress but today we live in a world where the International Criminal Court exsits and fights against such injustices. People work everyday against the doubt that people who commit such crimes will not be held responsible. Yet, there are criminals behind bars who just 10 years ago may be free on the street.
This is a battle we all must fight- a battle against ourselves. We all have the possibility to be part of the “greats”, the people who make this world a better place, the people who fight for peace and justice. Why not? Why not you? The first step is this program. It will change your life forever.
