PAST EVENTS
Past Events
Universal Criminal Jurisdiction Conference
Building on the success of the Universal Criminal Jurisdiction: A Key Tool in the Fight for Atrocity Crimes in Ukraine and Beyond conference co-organised by CILPA and the IBA - and the hosted by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP - in New York in October 2022, a second session in collaboration with the CEELI Institute in Prague, from 7-8 October 2024, will to a large extent focus on universal jurisdiction as it relates to the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine, on the first day. CILPA proposes that the collaborators host a second half day session to discuss universal jurisdiction more broadly, especially as it relates to the Global North and Global South divide and their differing experiences and approaches to universal jurisdiction.
ICC Colloquium
On 29 March 2021, CILPA launched the International Criminal Court Colloquium – a series dedicated specifically to advancing the scholarly debate on the work of the world’s only permanent international penal tribunal with responsibility to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The series, which is part of our Africa-ICC Research Project, and co-sponsored by the American Society of International Law and the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, seeks to highlight issues of particular relevance to the future success of the ICC, especially from an African perspective. Three ICC Colloquium sessions were hosted in 2021, and two in 2022. We hope to relaunch the Colloquium this year.
Residual Special Court of Sierra Leone Legacy Conference
Wednesday, 27 February - 28 February 2024, Residual Special Court of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
The Residual Special Court of Sierra Leone (RSCSL) in collaboration with multiple partners, including the Center for International Law and Policy in Africa (CILPA) hosted a Legacy Conference at their premises in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on the 27th and 28th of February 2024.
CILPA Office Grand Opening and ICC-Africa Paper Launch
Wednesday, 6 March 2024, 09:00 – 13:00 GMT, 1 Abib Drive, SS Camp, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Having operated internationally for three years, CILPA was proud to announce the official opening of its own offices in Freetown, Sierra Leone at 1 Abib Drive, SS Camp, Freetown. It was also an opportunity for the Consultants from CILPA's ICC-Africa project to present their papers.
African Perspectives on International Climate Change Law
Friday, 29 March 2024, 8:30 – 17:00 EST, Harvard Law School, Austin 111, Cambridge, USA
The Center for International Law & Policy in Africa (CILPA), along with the Human Rights Program (Harvard Law School) and the Dullah Omar Institute at the University of the Western Cape, co-organized an all-day academic symposium on “African Perspectives on International Climate Change Law” as part of Harvard Law School’s series of Climate Justice Events.
CILPA Occasional Papers Presentation: Bringing the African Perspective to the ICC Reform Discussion
December 6, 2023 New York City, USA
Consultants from CILPA’s ICC-Africa Project presented their papers at a side event to the twenty-second session of the Assembly of States Parties organized by CILPA, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, with the aim of bringing African perspectives to the ongoing ICC reform discourse .
Necessary Voices, Missed Opportunities?
Strengthening the Engagement of Global South States with the Work of the International Law Commission
October 30, 2023 New York City, USA
CILPA in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Mexico and Sierra Leone to the United Nations in New York hosted an interactive dialogue on Strengthening the Engagement of Global South States with the work of the International Law Commission on the margins of the International Law Week in New York.
The Current and Future work of the International Law Commission
November 4- 5, 2022 Miami, USA
The Florida International University College of Law (“FIU Law”), together with the CILPA convened a public symposium in Miami to discuss The Current and Future Work of the International Law Commission which was followed by a private workshop on upcoming ILC topics. Special Rapporteurs represented their work in discussion with panelists from practice and academia.
Role of Regional and International Codification Bodies in the Development of International Law
October 26, 2022 New York City, USA
CILPA in collaboration with the Office of Legal Counsel of the African Union Commission organized an interactive dialogue in New York for members from the AUCIL, CAHDI, and the ILC, along with representatives of States and academia, to engage in a preliminary dialogue with the view to determining what further collaboration might hold for the further codification and progressive development of regional and international law in Africa and internationally.
Universal Criminal Jurisdiction: A Key Tool in the Fight Against Impunity for Atrocity Crimes in Ukraine and Beyond?
October 25, 2022 New York City, USA
CILPA and the International Bar Association – hosted by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP – convened an interactive dialogue on Universal Criminal Jurisdiction: A Key Tool in the Fight for Atrocity Crimes in Ukraine and Beyond?, in New York, and online. The discussion reflected a range of perspectives from academia, State representatives, experts from the International Law Commission and global civil society.
Independent Expert Workshop: Bringing the African Perspective to the ICC Reform Discussion
October 7 - 8, 2022 Freetown, Sierra Leone
CILPA commissioned three independent consultants to conduct research into the experience of African States with the aim of identifying key concerns about the ICC reform process and proposing strategic recommendations to feed into the ongoing ICC reform discourse. Bringing together the consultants and invited legal experts, predominantly based in Africa, the Workshop was a working session with detailed examination of specific themes and provisions identified by the consultants.
Independent Expert Workshop: Draft Rules Of Procedure and the Elements of Crimes for the African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples’ Rights
May 13-14, 2022
The Hague, Netherlands
The Independent expert meeting brought together the legal experts who prepared the first drafts of the Rules of Procedure and the Elements of Crime documents in the ACRI Project , the consultant reviewer, and select expert practitioners with relevant experience in the African Court and issues of international dispute settlement.
SCSL 20th Anniversary - Commemoration and Formal Opening of the Peace Museum Memorial Garden
January 18, 2022 Freetown, Sierra Leone
On 16 January 2002, the United Nations and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone signed an historic agreement providing for the establishment of a Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL). 16 January 2022 marked the twentieth anniversary of this signing and to celebrate this event CILPA and The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone convened a commemoration.
SCSL LEGACY - The Legacy of the Special Court for Sierra Leone
December 17, 2020 Freetown, Sierra Leone
The purpose of this symposium was to examine, from a national perspective, whether the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), which was established jointly through an unprecedented bilateral treaty between the United Nations (UN) and the Government of Sierra Leone in January 2002 and completed its work in December 2013, left a legal legacy for the jurisprudence and practice for the nascent and still unsettled field of international criminal law.
Climate Change Symposium
Building on the success of the all-day high-level hybrid symposium on African Perspectives on International Climate Change Law co-organised by the Center for International Law & Policy in Africa (CILPA), the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and the Dullah Omar Institute at the University of the Western Cape at Harvard Law School on 29 March 2024, CILPA is in the process of organising a second symposium on the topic on the African continent, to further address the distinctive challenges African States and societies face in the global effort to address climate change including in relation to equitable access to financial resources, technology transfer, infrastructure for adaptation, mitigation and research, and representation and influence in decision-making processes. The date is to be confirmed. If you are interested in collaborating with us on this symposium please reach out to Prof. Charles Jalloh at [email protected].
ICC Colloquium
On 29 March 2021, CILPA launched the International Criminal Court Colloquium – a series dedicated specifically to advancing the scholarly debate on the work of the world’s only permanent international penal tribunal with responsibility to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The series, which is part of our Africa-ICC Research Project, and co-sponsored by the American Society of International Law and the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, seeks to highlight issues of particular relevance to the future success of the ICC, especially from an African perspective. Three ICC Colloquium sessions were hosted in 2021, and two in 2022. We hope to relaunch the Colloquium this year.