TIME: 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (12:00- 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be served)

The American Society of International Law and the American University Washington College of Law's Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law are pleased to present a three-part continuing legal education (CLE) series to provide a forum for the better understanding and discussion of human rights and humanitarian law theory.This first course will focus on the case of Hissène Habré, one of the most emblematic cases in which victims of the mass atrocities perpetrated during his tenure as the ruler of Chad resorted to several domestic and international courts in their search for justice. ----

Habré ruled Chad from 1982 until 1990, when he was deposed and fled to Senegal. His government was marked by widespread political killings and systematic torture. In 2000, Chadian victims filed a criminal complaint against Habré in Senegalese courts on the basis of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CAT).  Senegal’s Cour de Cassation dismissed the charges for lack of jurisdiction.  Next, victims living in Belgium filed suit against Habré in that country based on the principle of universal jurisdiction. In 2005, a Belgian judge indicted Habré and sought his extradition.  Senegal referred the matter to the African Union (AU) seeking a decision on how Habré should be tried.  The AU created a Committee of Eminent African Jurists that recommended Senegal to prosecute Habré “on behalf of Africa.” In 2007, Senegal amended its domestic legislation to grant domestic courts the jurisdiction to try Habré, but has not yet proceeded to start the trial. In the meantime, the Committee against Torture found that Senegal was in breach of the CAT and called Senegal to prosecute Habré or extradite him.  In 2009, Belgium filed an application with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) arguing that Senegal had violated the obligation to prosecute or extradite under CAT and customary international law rules by rejecting extradition to that country on several occasions. In 2010, ECOWAS ruled upon an individual petition filed by Habré and concluded that to avoid a breach of the principle prohibiting the retroactive application of criminal laws, Habré should be tried before a “special ad hoc procedure of an international character.” Chad’s position is that Habré should be extradited to Belgium to face trial and has waived any claims of immunity.

For the event flyer, please click HERE.

Please click HERE for the course materials.

Instructor:  Reed Brody, Counsel and Spokesperson, Human Rights Watch 

Mr. Brody is a human rights expert who has been advising the victims since the inception of the cases. He will discuss the role played by international law, international courts, and other human rights bodies in the victims’ quest for justice. Furthermore, he will discuss the implications that the ICJ judgment - expected for 2012 - may have for ending Habré’s impunity.   

Moderator: Juan Méndez, U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Information:

ASIL has received accreditation for 1.5 mandatory continuing legal education (MCLE) credits for this course with  California and Pennsylvania. ASIL is pending accreditation with Virginia and Georgia. New York attorneys may independently seek professional practice credits for this course through the approved jurisdictions of California or Pennsylvania. 

For more information about ASIL's jurisdictions and reporting CLE credits, please visit http://www.asil.org/institutes.cfm.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Free and Open to all ASIL Members and Non-Members. Space is limited, so advance registration is recommended.

TO REGISTER FOR THE OTHER COURSES IN THE SERIES VISIT:

CLE INSTITUTE COURSE SERIES (2 of 3) on HUMAN RIGHTS:The U.N. Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions and the Challenges of Monitoring Gross Human Rights Violations

CLE INSTITUTE COURSE SERIES (3 of 3) on HUMAN RIGHTS: The Future of the International Criminal Court: The Lubanga Judgment and Beyond