Human Rights and Governance

OVERVIEW

This lecture highlighted the stony path from the Nuremberg Trial 60 years ago -- when some of those primarily responsible for the war and war crimes in Germany had to answer for their actions -- to the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It was argued that the ICC represents one of the better options for countries to break the cycle of impunity, restore justice, and provide victims with reparations.

Following the lecture, a discussion provided an Asian perspective on the ICC. It was highlighted that due to a lack of due process, problems of defining what constitutes a war crime, the interference of national reconciliation efforts, and the principle of complementarity, many Asian countries may have chosen not to ratify the Statute of Rome.

The lecture was attended by 30 participants from academia, trade unions, law firms, think tanks, and research institutes, as well as officials from ASEM embassies.

SPEAKER

Prof. Dr. Jutta Limbach, President, Goethe-Institut, and former President, Federal Constitutional Court, Germany

CHAIRPERSON

Dr. Ulrich Nowak, Director, Goethe Institut, Singapore

DISCUSSANT

Mr. Kevin Tan, Chairman, Foundation for the Development of International Law in Asia