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Within the framework of its "Insights Series" project, and in partnership with the Human Rights Legal Clinic of “La Sagesse University” and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Geneva Platform of Empowerment for Peace and Humanity held a panel of experts discussion to address the issue of fact-finding in times of armed conflict. The panel entitled “Getting the Facts Right” took place in the Conference Room of La Sagesse University in Beirut on Friday 6 November 2015.
The Geneva Platform aimed through this academic panel to depict and discuss the legal issues stemming from the work of the International Independent Commission of Enquiries, specifically those that are active in armed conflict situations. The panel touched upon several issues relating to the legal basis upon which the COIs are founded, the methodology of their work, the generally approved techniques of fact-finding, the evaluation of both the quality and the conformity of the reports with international law norms and standards, the possible remedies to their shortcomings, the outcome of their work through from the point of view of International Criminal Justice, the issue of accountability and others. The issues were discussed and analysed thoroughly.
Within the framework of its "Insights Series" project, and in partnership with the Human Rights Legal Clinic of “La Sagesse University” and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Geneva Platform of Empowerment for Peace and Humanity held a panel of experts discussion to address the issue of fact-finding in times of armed conflict. The panel entitled “Getting the Facts Right” took place in the Conference Room of La Sagesse University in Beirut on Friday 6 November 2015.
The Geneva Platform aimed through this academic panel to depict and discuss the legal issues stemming from the work of the International Independent Commission of Enquiries, specifically those that are active in armed conflict situations. The panel touched upon several issues relating to the legal basis upon which the COIs are founded, the methodology of their work, the generally approved techniques of fact-finding, the evaluation of both the quality and the conformity of the reports with international law norms and standards, the possible remedies to their shortcomings, the outcome of their work through from the point of view of International Criminal Justice, the issue of accountability and others. The issues were discussed and analysed thoroughly.
The Panel was composed of experts from different legal and professional backgrounds. Dr.Théo Boutruche a renowned expert in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights law and a former member of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Conflict in Georgia, Dr. Nidal Jurdi, holder of a Phd and expert in the International Criminal Law and an adjunct lecturer at the American University of Beirut, Dr. Omar Mekki the Regional Legal Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa at the Cairo Office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the moderator of the panel Dr. Karim ElMufti, an International Humanitarian Law expert, lecturer at La Sagesse University and the director of its Human Rights Legal Clinic.
The Panel was inaugurated by the Dean of the La Sagesse Faculty of Law Dr.Maron Boustani, in the presence of the University President Bishop Khalil Shalfoun, MP Jean Ougassapian, Judge Sabouh Sleiman, Judge Fadi Ouneisi, Brigadier-General Naim Ziadeh, the President of the Geneva Platform Ahmad El-Hajj Sleiman and its Director-General Nouha Ben Said.
The attendees of the Panel were mainly composed of lawyers, Human rights defenders and activists, representatives of civil society organizations, students and interested public from all fields.
The panel adopted an interactive approach for the purpose of deepening the discussion and the audience involvement in its subject matter. Following the end of the experts’ interventions, a brief general debate was opened allowing the attendees and the different participants to comment on the experts’ intervention and ask questions, thus shedding the light on new aspects of the panel’s subject, and more importantly benefitting from the personal experiences of the panelists.
The dialogue between experts and attendees highlighted the critical importance of the subject which panel dealt with, tackling the current challenges facing the Middle East, in light of the ongoing conflicts, especially that a number of COIs were and still are active in the region.
The Geneva Platform is committed to its firm engagement in working tirelessly on disseminating and sharing the culture of Peace and the values of Humanity. The Geneva Platform believes that by spreading the knowledge of International Humanitarian Law and International Human rights Law it pushing for a step forward towards achieving its aims. For this end the Platform is and will still work on enlarging the scope of its partnerships in Lebanon and in Arab World.
The Geneva Platform of Empowerment for Peace and Humanity is a non-governmental, non-profit, neutral and independent organisation seeking to empower and support those suffering from all kinds of violations affecting their right to peace and the values of humanity.
For more information contact GPEPH COMMS through: info@gpeph.org
The Panel was inaugurated by the Dean of the La Sagesse Faculty of Law Dr.Maron Boustani, in the presence of the University President Bishop Khalil Shalfoun, MP Jean Ougassapian, Judge Sabouh Sleiman, Judge Fadi Ouneisi, Brigadier-General Naim Ziadeh, the President of the Geneva Platform Ahmad El-Hajj Sleiman and its Director-General Nouha Ben Said.
The attendees of the Panel were mainly composed of lawyers, Human rights defenders and activists, representatives of civil society organizations, students and interested public from all fields.
The panel adopted an interactive approach for the purpose of deepening the discussion and the audience involvement in its subject matter. Following the end of the experts’ interventions, a brief general debate was opened allowing the attendees and the different participants to comment on the experts’ intervention and ask questions, thus shedding the light on new aspects of the panel’s subject, and more importantly benefitting from the personal experiences of the panelists.
The dialogue between experts and attendees highlighted the critical importance of the subject which panel dealt with, tackling the current challenges facing the Middle East, in light of the ongoing conflicts, especially that a number of COIs were and still are active in the region.
The Geneva Platform is committed to its firm engagement in working tirelessly on disseminating and sharing the culture of Peace and the values of Humanity. The Geneva Platform believes that by spreading the knowledge of International Humanitarian Law and International Human rights Law it pushing for a step forward towards achieving its aims. For this end the Platform is and will still work on enlarging the scope of its partnerships in Lebanon and in Arab World.
The Geneva Platform of Empowerment for Peace and Humanity is a non-governmental, non-profit, neutral and independent organisation seeking to empower and support those suffering from all kinds of violations affecting their right to peace and the values of humanity.
For more information contact GPEPH COMMS through: info@gpeph.org