When she packed her bags for an exchange term in the Netherlands, 3L student Carrie Koperski had no idea that her exchange, along with an email query to a UAlberta Law professor, would lead to attending her first diplomatic conference. But her presence in the Netherlands was a perfect coincidence for Professor Joanna Harrington, who used her participation in a SSHRC Partnership Grant project to arrange for Carrie to be an accredited delegate to a diplomatic conference. As a result, Carrie participated in the 15th meeting of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court - known as "ICC ASP 15" - being held from 16-24 November in The Hague.
Established in 2002, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is the world's first permanent international criminal court for the prosecution of those accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The Court was created by a treaty that has attracted ratifications from 124 states parties, including Canada. These treaty parties meet regularly in what is called the "Assembly of States Parties" (ASP), sending diplomats and lawyers from their Foreign Affairs, Justice and Defence ministries to discuss current issues, debate proposed initiatives, and set the budget for the Court. In brief, the Assembly of States Parties is the management oversight and legislative body of the ICC, with its activities also monitored by observer states, academics, and non-governmental organizations, including the International Bar Association.
As an accredited delegate to ICC ASP 15, Carrie attended meetings discussing the extent of state cooperation with the Court, as well as discussions concerning practical matters, such as the availability of legal aid and the Court's budgetary arrangements. She also included numerous side-events on such topics as NGO efforts to preserve evidence in times of conflict and the historical value of accountability mechanisms once they have completed their tasks. Throughout the experience, Carrie served as Professor Harrington's research assistant, gathering information and reporting on developments, with Professor Harrington herself having participated in a previous ASP meeting as a delegate with Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Affairs (now Global Affairs Canada).
"I have learned so much more about international law in just four days," said Ms. Koperski. "Being present in person at the Assembly and the associated side-events has given me a better sense of how NGO lawyers interact with the Assembly and how government lawyers represent their states' positions and negotiate new developments. It brought to life what I had learned in a course on international law. I've also been fortunate to attend the ASP at such an important time, with three African states (Burundi, South Africa and Gambia) having announced that they are withdrawing from the Court."
She added: "I must also say thank you to Professor Harrington, and her partners in the SSHRC project on international criminal justice, for making the arrangements for me to participate in my first conference of this kind. It has been a highlight of my law school experience."
Carrie's opportunity was arranged as part of the experiential learning component of Strengthening Justice for International Crimes: A Canadian Partnership.