The President of the International Court of Justice, H.E. Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yousef and the Ambassador of El Salvador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations based in The Hague, H.E. Mr. Agustín Vásquez Gómez.
International Court of Justice and the Embassy of El Salvador In the Netherlands Pay Homage to Doctor José Gustavo Guerrero
The President of the International Court of Justice, H.E. Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yousef and the Ambassador of El Salvador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations based in The Hague, H.E. Mr. Agustín Vásquez Gómez, presided over the tribute to the illustrious Salvadoran internationalist Doctor José Gustavo Guerrero, last President of the Permanent Court of International Justice and First President of the International Court of Justice.
The solemn ceremony took place on 16 October 2018 in the Great Hall of Justice of the International Court of Justice, at the Peace Palace, seat of the International Court of Justice, in the presence of members of the Court, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps and high officials of international organizations based in The Hague.
The President of the Court highlighted in his words the honor that it deserves to the highest court of justice in the world, having had among its members a man who had international law and the concept of justice as a way of life, which translated into an exceptional step for more than two decades in the International Court of Justice and its predecessor the Permanent Court of International Justice.
The Registrar of the Court, H.E. Philippe Couvreur referred that Judge Guerrero was the author of several landmark studies on some of the most controversial questions of his time. In words of Mr. Couvreur Dr. Guerrero “shaped the course of that history at the most difficult moments and safeguarded its legacy when the Court was re-formed, despite the turbulence of those new times”
In his speech, Ambassador Vásquez Gómez highlighted the pride that Doctor Guerrero represents as a remarkable son of El Salvador, whose merit of professional life made him transcend the borders of his native land, gaining recognition and distinction not only for his dedication and profound contribution to international law, but also for its strong commitment to the principles and values of peace and justice.
The Brazilian Judge Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade elaborated in a broad and comprehensive manner the contribution of Doctor Guerrero to the Latin American doctrine of International Law, underscoring particularly the codification of international law, the peaceful settlement of international disputes, the law of international organizations, and the law of nations, among others.
Representing the family of Doctor Guerrero, Mr. José Miguel Arévalo Rengifo expressed that Dr. Guerrero’s profound love and patriotism towards El Salvador was undeniable, adding with great emotion that “the lord of white mustaches became a hero and a model to follow, when confirmed in his indelible figure that the great world leaders are not exclusive of the most developed nations.”
The highlight of the ceremony was the grant of Diplomatic Merit Medal Doctor José Gustavo Guerrero to the President of the International Court of Justice opportunity in which H.E. Vásquez Gómez mentioned that “this honor symbolize the gesture of a Nation grateful to the highest Court of Justice in the world, which offered the opportunity to Judge Guerrero to develop his deep devotion and dedication to justice and international law.”
As part of the ceremony, attendees enjoyed a musical presentation of six Salvadoran children from the city of San Pedro Perulapán, members of the group “Armonía Cuscatleca”, who proudly performed the musical pieces named “El Carbonero” and “El Torito Pinto”.
