Location:

Den Haag, Netherlands

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

This summer school focuses on a different theme within the field of human rights and transitional justice each year. Past themes included Truth, Justice and Rule of Law Reform (2012) and Human Rights Fact-Finding, Evidence and International Crimes (2013). The 3rd session of this Summer School will be held in The Hague from 14 to 18 July 2014. This year the course will focus on Regional Responses to Conflict.

Past decades have witnessed new approaches and tensions in the interplay between international justice, regional approaches and local responses to conflict. International Courts and Tribunals have sought to develop policies and mechanisms to engage with domestic constituencies (e.g. victims) and actors. This is reflected in complementarity, outreach and ‘legacy’ strategies. But practice has also shown existing weaknesses and constraints of international criminal justice institutions. The International Criminal Court has faced significant challenges in its engagements in regional conflicts and interaction with the African Union. New regional initiatives and approaches are emerging in the African context (e.g.expansion of the jurisdiction of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights , struggle for accountability in Syria) and Latin America (e.g. Guatemala, Colombia). At the same time, regional human rights (e.g. European Court of Human Rights, Inter-American Court of Human Rights) have had to deal with dilemmas of historical justice and transitions (e.g. amnesties). This Summer School explores these developments, including practice and underlying accountability strategies. The course will deal inter alia with the following themes: Introduction to Transitional Justice and relevant approaches of International Criminal Tribunals (complementarity, outreach, legacy) Relationship between the ICC and the African Union Regional responses and Transitional Justice mechansims in specific contexts (e.g. Guatemala/Colombia/Syria) The role of regional human rights courts in international criminal justice Prospects and limits of regional mechanisms

The participants will receive a certificate of participation after completion of the programme. Furthermore, we can issue a statement regarding the amount of ECTS credits we would assign to this course, based on the number of hours in class, preparation time and assignments, keeping in mind that 1 ECTS equals 28 hours of study. Your university can then evaluate this course and decide whether they will indeed award ECTS credits.

Setting Description:

* Welcome dinner * Visit to the International Criminal Court * Film-screening * Expert Panel

Cost:

Tuition fees for the 2014 session: * Professionals €1050 * Students €875 * Leiden University students €700 The fee includes lunches and refreshments on class days, course materials, a thematic film screening, field trips to international institutions in The Hague and a welcome dinner.