Professor Milena Sterio presented at the European Society of International Law Annual Conference in Malaga, Spain, on September 1 and 2.  Professor Sterio presented at a session organized by the International Law and Philosophy Interest Group of ESIL on the topic of “The Role of International Lawyers During Times of Crisis: Lawyers are not Potted Plants.”  Professor Sterio’s remarks focused on the argument that international lawyers have a particular duty, during time of crisis, to reaffirm the rule of law as well as to advocate for a novel interpretation of the rules, when this is appropriate and necessary.

Professor Sterio also participated as an expert trainer in the International Bar Association training program of Ukrainian judges and prosecutors on the topic of extradition and mutual legal assistance, which took place in Krakow, Poland, from September 8-10.  Professor Sterio participated in sessions on extradition practices in the United States, extradition and human rights law, and universal jurisdiction.  Professor Sterio has previously participated in two similar IBA trainings in Poland on the topic of prosecuting environmental crimes as war crimes.  

Professor Sterio participated as an expert in the Choosing the Bench workshop, held at the University of Utrecht, Netherlands, on September 9.  The workshop participants discussed the development of a specific set of criteria and qualifications for international judges, sitting on tribunals such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.  All workshop participants, including Professor Sterio, will continue to work on a document in the form of guidelines which will contain such criteria.  In addition, all workshop participants, including Professor Sterio, will publish expert remarks in the Netherlands Law Review.