Partners of the National University "Odesa Law Academy" under the USAID program "Justice for All" have been collaborating with the T.M.C. Asser Institute (The Hague, Netherlands) since September 2022 to enhance the capacity of interested Ukrainian legal schools in teaching international criminal law. This collaboration involves engaging teachers and students from Ukrainian legal schools in joint activities such as workshops, guest lectures, etc., conducted in English to facilitate professional networking between Ukrainian educators and international experts in the field of international criminal law.
This year, our university's faculty members participated in the program, including Professor Vyacheslav Tulyakov from the Department of Criminal Law, Associate Professor Liliya Timofeyeva from the Department of Criminal Law, and Associate Professor Eduard Kuzmin from the Department of International and European Law.
Established in 1965, the T.M.C. Asser Institute is a globally renowned center of expertise in public international law, private international law, and European law. Located in The Hague, the "international city of peace and justice," the T.M.C. Asser Institute is a recognized hub for critical and constructive examination of the development of international and European law.
During February-March 2024, with the support of the USAID "Justice for All" program and the T.M.C. Asser Institute (The Hague, Netherlands), the following events took place for our students and faculty:
Lecture on "The Right to a Fair Trial in Atrocity Crimes Cases" by Melinda Taylor, defense counsel at the International Criminal Court. Melinda Taylor, an Australian criminal lawyer, was arrested and detained in Libya in 2012 after being appointed by the International Criminal Court to defend Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Muammar Gaddafi.
Lecture on "The Role of Victims in International Criminal Proceedings – Victim-Centered Justice?" by Dr. Niki Siampakou, a research fellow at the International Center for Counter-Terrorism (The Hague, Netherlands), and the T.M.C. Asser Institute.
Lecture on "Cooperation in international criminal justice matters" by Joëlle Zonjee, legal advisor at the Department of International Relations and Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters of the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands.
Lecture on "Challenges of investigating and prosecuting international crimes in Ukraine" by Maxim Vіshchik, legal consultant at Global Rights Compliance.
These lectures and discussions emphasize the importance of international cooperation and learning in the field of international criminal law. By working with experts from renowned centers such as the T.M.С. Asser Institute, our students and faculty gain new insights into complex legal issues, deepen their understanding of global justice mechanisms, and promote respect for human rights and accountability for international crimes. This ongoing partnership between Odesa Law School and renowned legal institutions around the world reflects a commitment to creating a strong legal education environment that knows no borders and prepares future legal professionals.