SIS 421

							May 14, 2009

EXPLORATION SEMINAR Ireland and The Hague
Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington Summer, 2009 Syllabus Version 1 Program Director: Frederick Michael Lorenz JD, LLM –lorenz@u.washington.edu Course Summary and Schedule Our program will be co-sponsored by the Irish Centre for Human Rights in Galway, Ireland; two weeks will be spent in Ireland before making a six day trip to The Hague. The program will provide a firsthand study of the major international tribunals; the theme will be The Challenges of International Justice. In Galway we will have a series of seminars with the Centre’s PhD candidates, and Professor William Schabas, one of the leading scholars of international criminal law and the International Criminal Court. There we will learn how the international community works to promote justice and accountability for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. We will follow the history and recent developments at the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the Special Court for Sierra Leon. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be discussed, particularly in regard to the role of the ICJ in the protection of human rights. We will also learn about the so-called “hybrid courts” in East Timor and Cambodia, and the unique challenges facing those courts today. Before leaving for The Hague we will make a three day trip to Dublin, with a focus on Irish legal history from the English period through Irish independence to membership in the European Union. In Dublin we will have a first hand account of Ireland’s current role in international justice, including the European Court of Justice. In The Hague during our last week, visits will be made to the ICC the ICTY and the ICJ, depending on the schedules and public access restrictions at each court. At the ICTY there are hearings scheduled for both courtrooms every day while we are in town, we will likely make more than one trip to the Court during the week. We are also scheduled to have a tour and see hearings of the Special Court for Sierra Leone which is using the facilities of the International Criminal Court during the week we are in The Hague. At each location we will hear presentations from court professionals, and where possible meet with judges of the courts. Participants will receive five credits in of SIS 490 (Special Topics) unless other arrangements are made. EURO 399 (Europe Study Abroad) is another possibility. Participants should check in advance with their advisors to determine how these credits can count towards degree requirements. Program in Galway: All meet at the front desk of Sleepzone Hostel (see information later in this syllabus) at 6 PM on Sunday, August 23. The following is a tentative schedule, there will also be daily activities in each city that are not yet scheduled, a full schedule will be handed out on the first day of the program.

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Seminars at the Irish Centre for Human Rights between 4 and 6 PM. Seminar 1. Monday Aug 24, Introduction to the Irish Centre, and a discussion of the relationship between Human Rights Law, Humanitarian Law and Criminal Law. An Overview of Accountability Mechanisms including Truth Commissions. The International Court of Justice, jurisdiction and role in Humanitarian Law. Chaired by Frederick Lorenz, other panelists to be determined. Seminar 2. Tuesday Aug 25, ICTY Establishment, current cases and the “end game” for the court, the trial of Karadzic, prospects and problems. Panel to include PhD candidates. Seminar 3. Wednesday Aug 26 Accountability for Crimes of Sexual Violence under International Humanitarian Law. Organized by Niamh Hayes, a PhD candidate from the Irish Centre for Human Rights. Seminar 4. Thursday Aug 27, Accountability for Environmental Violations of International Humanitarian Law. Tentative topic by a PhD candidate Friday Aug 28, we have a full trip to Cliffs of Mohr (early) and the Burren in the afternoon, with a guide at the Burren and a room at Moran’s Oyster Cottage on the way back at 7pm. We will have a guest speaker at dinner, topic to be determined. Perhaps a speaker on Irish history or culture. Saturday Aug 29 Croagh Patrick climb, details to be provided. All Centre faculty, students and staff are invited, departure about 8 AM in bus provided by UW. Seminar 5. Monday Aug 31. Foundations of International Criminal Law and current issues, including a death penalty debate. Prof. Schabas will be primary speaker and moderator. Frederick Lorenz (as devil’s advocate) will argue that the death penalty is appropriate under certain conditions. Seminar 6. Tuesday Sept 1 The Establishment of the ICC and current challenges in 2008. Current controversies and the “interests of justice” question. Prof. Schabas will be primary speaker and moderator, PhD students to participate. The current situation with the ICC and recent developments in Sudan. Seminar 7. Wednesday Sept 2: Special session at 10 AM: Prof Schabas on the Challenges of International Justice, including Sierra Leone Special Court. Evening Program on Irish history and Culture, with dinner (last night in Galway) Note: Typical seminar will last for two hours, followed by dinner provided by the University of Washington at 6 PM. Additional Programs, Activities and Seminars: Each morning in Galway we will have optional walks or hikes, a schedule will be handed out in Galway. On our first Monday in Galway we will meet at the Spanish Arch at 8 AM for a walk along the Promenade. On Tuesday and Thursday of our first week in Galway we will have afternoon programs on Irish culture and history at 1 PM, the place will be announced in the schedule on your first day. On Sunday Aug 31 there will be no activities scheduled. Program in Dublin: We will spend Thursday Sept 3 travelling to Dublin and checking in to the Hostel. On Friday morning we will be at the Four Courts and we expect have a meeting with a justice of the Irish 2

3 Supreme Court, a detailed schedule will be provided later. On Saturday there will be no activities scheduled, and Sunday we fly to The Hague on the 1130 Aer Lingus flight Program in The Hague: A detailed schedule will be provided on the first day, this is tentative:. Monday Sept 7 2 PM to 4 PM Program at the International Criminal Court Tuesday Sept 8, 10 AM to 1:30 PM, at The International Court of Justice, including lunch in the Refectorium. Tour of the ICTY at 9:30AM, afternoon return for ICTY hearings. Wednesday Sept 10 Sierra Leone Special Court hearing at the ICC Thursday and Friday: Return to the courts based on schedule of hearings and speakers. Friday Dinner: Closing of the program and final discussion. Last journal booklets handed in. Program Objectives: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. To review the history and development of international courts. To understand the role of Ireland in international law and international institutions. To understand the dynamic relationship between politics, human rights, and international law. To learn about the Irish Centre for Human Rights and interact with its faculty and students. To have a first-hand look at the setting of the international courts operating in The Hague. To understand the challenges facing international justice today. To learn about and enjoy the history and culture of the three cities we will visit.

Assignments and Grades This is an exploration seminar that will include three hand-written journal submissions, one due at the end of each week, booklets will be provided on the first day. Each submission will be 20% of the grade, and program participation will be 40%. More detail on the requirements will be provided in Galway, and you will be handed three “Examination Green Books” on the first day to write your journal submission. Contents of journal submission: Each journal submission will require you to answer the same basic questions. We all bring some fundamental assumptions to the learning process, and this program is designed to expand your horizons. These basic questions should be answered at the end of each week. 1. What fundamentals and/or challenges about international justice did you learn about this week in the seminars? 2. Provide two or three examples of particular lectures, discussions or issues that you found interesting and/or useful.

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4 3. What did you learn from the speakers in terms of their different (perhaps a European) perspective on international justice? 4. What did you learn from individuals you have met (perhaps other students from Europe or other countries) in terms of their different perspective on international relations or their personal values? Late Submissions: All booklets must be handed to the Program Director on the scheduled due date, Friday of each week.. The following policy will be strictly followed for all late submissions. Booklets that are late and turned in within 24 hours of the time due will be graded and reduced one full quality point, for example a 3.5 becomes a 2.5. Papers that are late and turned in within 48 hours of the time due will be graded and reduced two full quality points, for example a 3.5 becomes a 1.5. The last booklet must be turned in on the last Friday of the Program, no exceptions, since we will all depart early the next morning. Optional Hikes and Walks: There will be a number of long walks and hikes planned, one of them is quite strenuous (the first Saturday to Croagh Patrick), you are encouraged to participate but if you are unable or choose not to participate in these hikes it will NOT affect your class participation grade. There will be a number of other historic or cultural activities scheduled in Galway, or things you can do on your own, such as a tour of the City History Museum and lectures on Irish culture and history. READING ASSIGNMENTS Required Text: Course Packet with text, materials and selected articles. Everyone will be able to pick up their materials by June 3 in Seattle, and I can bring extra copies to Tacoma. The course packet must be read in full before the first day of the program, and should be brought along to Ireland. Recommended Text: Crimes of War, What the Public Should Know, Editors Roy Gutman and David Rieff, W.W. Norton and Company 2006 Version 2.0 (be sure to get the newer edition) The book is designed as an A to Z guide to war crimes, and formatted as both a reference book for individuals in the field and as a visual and vivid source book for a wide variety of audiences, including the general reader. Crimes of War contains original articles by some 90 journalists, jurists and scholars, as well as photographs which graphically underscore the authors' words. OPTIONAL AND RECOMMENDED READING LIST: Has been posted as “resources” on the class web page, some of the material can be used for exercise preparation. CURRENT EVENTS: It will be your responsibility to keep up with current events and international sources of news. Some sources are provided as links below. This will provide a good source for seminar discussion and assist with your journal entries.

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5 LINKS: This document will be filed on the course web page and you should be able to use the hyperlinks to go directly to web based resources. Also note the web based resources listed in the text. One of the most useful sites is the one maintained by the Crimes of War Project. It has resources devoted to the current conflict in Iraq. The official site of the US State Department has a wealth of information, including current statements of public officials. US Department of State – Home Page The United Nations has an excellent site at www.un.org. There are sections concerning international law, international courts, and the campaign against terrorism. You will find useful sites for NGOs such as the campaign to ban landmines Home - International Campaign to Ban Landmines and the European Union Europa - The European Union On-Line. Also see Amnesty International - Working To Protect Human Rights Worldwide and Human Rights Watch Defending Human Rights Worldwide Links are provided on the program web page to the Irish Centre for Human Rights and all the courts we will visit in The Hague. The program web page contains many important documents that will be updated regularly. Go to http://faculty.washington.edu/lorenz/Hague08/index.shtml This includes the latest syllabus, lodging and travel information, more resources, and State Department Travel Advisories. Additional Resources: Required Video: There are two great DVD’s at the Odegard Library (media center) that everyone should check out and view (for one night only please) See the list on the program resources link.. I am asking everyone to view this on your own before you leave campus this summer. Lodging and schedule information We all need to arrive in Galway by 6 PM on Sunday August 23, and our group reservations (prepaid) begin that night. If you get to Galway a day or two before you need to make your own reservations and handle payment on your own. Galway Lodging: Sleepzone Hostel Galway City http://www.sleepzone.ie/sleepzonegc.html This site has plenty of useful information including directions, check in policies and things to do on your own in the area. It is very close to the center of town, just off Eyre Square and less than ten minutes walk from the Bus Station. I will be there on Saturday to make sure everything is in order, and we will all meet at the front desk at 6 PM Sunday. The phone at the front desk is 353-91-566999. We depart Galway by train Thursday Sept 3 by train and will spend three nights in Dublin. Dublin Lodging: to be determined We depart Ireland by air on Sunday September 6 to Amsterdam and then train to The Hague for six nights.

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Lodging in The Hague: Hotel Sebel, Zoutmanstr 40, The Hague, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands 2518 GR ph 70-345-9200 see http://www.hotelsebel.nl/index.php?lang=english The hotel is situated on the Prins Hendrikplein just between the center and the Embassy area and we will travel by tram as a group to the hotel. The city center, World Forum Center, Peace Palace and many museums are either within walking distance or a short tram ride away from the hotel. The Program will end after our group dinner on Friday evening September 11, and our pre-paid reservation ends at check out (11AM) on the morning of Saturday Sept 12. Important Additional Information Baggage: Flying in Europe has strict baggage rules now, our flight on Aer Lingus to Amsterdam has a one bag limit of 20 KG (44 Lbs) and I have paid for that in advance at $15 per person. That means you will only be able to check one bag of that weight (you need to weigh it in advance) between Ireland and the Hague. There is a one-bag 16 lb. carry-on limit for this flight. Flying across the Atlantic will likely have a bigger weight allowance, check with your airline. But flying on Ryan Air will have a lower allowance, check the web site, and you need to carefully plan your packing for this trip. Dress: Everyone needs to bring some dressy clothes, business attire for our time in Dublin and The Hague you will need this for all our court visits. Jacket and tie for the men and business type suit (slacks OK) for the ladies. I would plan for cool rainy weather, but casual clothes, comfortable shoes will be the norm when we are not in court visits. A light weight rain parka is essential, also a small light weight pack for day items, you can use this as your carry-on for the flights. Please avoid cut-offs, and ragged jeans, but in Galway the students dress much like the UW campus. When traveling overseas it is best to blend in and not call attention to yourself as a "tourist." Boots: If you want to participate in the hikes you should bring a fairly sturdy pair of boots, these are very light but give you stability and protect ankles from the rocks on sea shore and slopes of Croagh Patrick. Here is a sample of a boot on sale at REI but you might find something like it elsewhere for less money. http://www.rei.com/product/737707 Lap Tops: It is unnecessary to bring a lap top, but a light weight version might be helpful. Internet access will be available at a reasonable fee near our hostels and hotels. Electronics: For the ladies you will probably be able to buy a hair dryer for each room when you get there. Another option is to find one of the dual current hair dryers before you leave, with the appropriate adapter plug. Most camera rechargers will work on European current but you will need an adaptor for the simple two (rounded) prong outlet. Passport: I carry my passport in a small pouch that stays close to my body, and I will try to find some secure place to keep passports in the cities we are staying so you do not have to carry them every day.

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7 Arrival in Galway: Here is a link to the bus schedule from Shannon Airport to Galway (Eyre Square is 5 minutes walk from your hostel) http://www.buseireann.ie/bubble.php?id=167 and you can buy tickets on line. The bus ride to Galway is about 45 minutes. CODE OF CONDUCT : A draft code of conduct was posted on the program web site and since there were no adverse comments, this will be our code for the program, please review it before the program begins, and sign ti before you meet with me.. Be sure to check your UW e-mail and the web page regularly over the summer and just before your arrival in Galway to get all the latest announcements. Our program web page is http://faculty.washington.edu/lorenz/Hague09/Hague.shtml I welcome your questions or comments on the program. Frederick Michael Lorenz, JD, LLM

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