BlueLaw Exercises Leadership within the American Society of International Law (ASIL)
Posted by BlueLaw on May 12, 2011
BlueLaw Director Andrew Solomon has been elected as vice chair of the Transitional Justice and Rule of Law Interest Group at the American Society of International Law (ASIL), which brings together approximately 500 leading practitioners, scholars, and experts in justice and transition issues in conflict-affected, post-conflict, and fragile states from around the world. Through research, expert consultations, and dialogue, this group works to improve the effectiveness of transitional justice measures and strengthen rule of law promotion strategies and programs. Andrew is pictured here after briefing a delegation of Iraqi judges and lawyers on international human rights standards at ASIL’s headquarters in Washington DC.
In addition, BlueLaw played an instrumental role in the establishment of ASIL’s interest group on International Disability Rights. This group focuses on disability rights, as this issue moves from the margins of international human rights law and policy to occupy a prominent place in the global human rights system with the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Senior Partner Janet Lord serves on the group’s executive committee, which is co-chaired by BlueLaw’s Senior Human Rights Advisor Stephanie Ortoleva. The interest group convened its inaugural meeting at the ASIL annual conference in Washington DC in April 2011.
PRACTICE INVOLVED: Human Rights & Disability Inclusive Development, Security & Justice
BlueLaw Human Rights and Rule of Law Specialist Andrew Solomon recently served with a team of international advisors deployed by IFES in collaboration with the Kosovo Central Election Commission to administer 14 alternative polling stations in predominately Serb populated northern Kosovo during the December 2010 parliamentary elections. As a polling station team leader on Election Day, Andrew was responsible for managing all aspects of voting procedures, including the opening and closing of the station and ensuring the security of all election related materials. His duties included serving as civilian-military coordinator, liaising with Kosovo Police, KFOR, and EULEX personnel while his was deployed to their area of responsibility. In addition to this mission to northern Kosovo, Andrew has participated in more than fifteen election observation and supervision missions deployed by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) since 1996. He is a leading expert on international election standards and legal frameworks for guaranteeing the right to political participation.
BlueLaw’s Jack McDonald (right) seen here heading up the White Nile. Mr. McDonald is working on an advisory mission to the nascent southern Sudanese government in Juba providing assistance to their efforts to develop a military justice system for southern Sudanese security forces. McDonald is a retired US Navy Judge Advocate, who worked with BlueLaw supporting the creation of the Iraqi Judicial Development Institute and previously served as an advisor to the Iraqi Special Tribunal.
