The ILA Irish Branch held a talk on 30 November: “International Criminal Tribunals - Recent Challenges Faced”

“International Criminal Tribunals - Recent Challenges Faced” - 30 November 2017

Talk by Elizabeth Spelman, Solicitor and former United Nations Prosecution Lawyer. 

The talk was divided into two parts. Part I focused on the establishment and the achievements of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and the United Nations Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals. The Ratko Mladic Trial Judgement, the Prlic et al. Appeals Judgement, and other recent case developments were discussed in more detail. 

Part II of the talk focused on developments and challenges in the Goran Hadžic case following the accused’s diagnosis of a terminal illness, with approximately seven trial weeks remaining. The ensuing litigation concerned, inter alia, the Prosecution’s motions to proceed, and the accused’s fitness to stand trial. This litigation addressed issues such as fair trial rights, and possible measures to expedite the trial. Such measures could potentially be implemented before international and domestic courts and tribunals.