The Promise Institute
for Human Rights (Europe) News
2nd Annual Judging International Justice Lecture featuring Judge Dire Tladi
In his lecture, Judge Tladi examined the role of the International Court of Justice and the contours of its function. He reflected on the interpretation of concepts of jus cogens and erga omnes, situating them within current discussions about the meaning and continued relevance of international legal institutions in a time marked by multiple conflicts and challenges to international agreements.
Small Island States and the Fight for Climate Justice
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the least responsible for climate change but face its most severe consequences, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and even the existential threat of submersion. In response to this crisis and the international community’s inaction, COSIS was established in 2021 by Antigua and Barbuda and Tuvalu, later joined by other SIDS, to amplify their voices in international legal forums. COSIS aims to use international law to protect the rights of SIDS, holding States accountable for their obligations to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.
Rewriting Justice for a Burning Planet: ICC Deputy Prosecutor Khan on the Role of International Criminal Law
In a compelling keynote speech delivered at the UCLA Law Promise Institute Europe, Nazhat Shameem Khan explored the pivotal role international law must play in addressing the pressing ecological crises of our time. Her address emphasized the need for flexibility, innovation, and collective effort to adapt legal frameworks to the realities of environmental degradation and climate change.