On 27 November 2019, the International Criminal Court (ICC) hosted The Hague Judicial Club Colloquium 2019 on the theme “International Law and Contemporary Challenges – 75 Years after WWII”. The colloquium gathered Judges and Registrars of the ICC, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands (Hoge Raad der Nederlanden), the International Court of Justice, the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.
“By many accounts, the institution-based multilateral international system of international law that we have today started taking shape after the end of WWII”, said ICC President Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji opening the event. “As that system is under acute pressure, which is also felt in our courts and tribunals, it is meaningful for us to discuss our similar challenges with one another”, he added.
In addition to the ICC President, speakers included the President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, Judge Ivana Hrdličková, Judge Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade of the International Court of Justice, and ICC Judge Raul Pangalangan. The First Vice-President of the ICC, Judge Robert Fremr, gave closing remarks.
The event was co-sponsored by the Municipality of The Hague. Speaking of the judicial club, Deputy Mayor of The Hague Saskia Bruines said: “It is encouraging to see The Hague’s international courts and tribunals take the initiative to come together”. “These gatherings stimulate the sharing of knowledge, contacts, and experiences that help lead to further improvements in the field of peace and justice. The Municipality of The Hague will continue to stay actively involved in future editions!”, she added.
The Hague Judicial Club strives to bring together Judges and Registrars of international courts based in The Hague as well as the Supreme Court of the Netherlands to offer opportunities for networking and exchange of ideas at the highest level.
