From the President's Desk
 

India, a strong advocate of the UN system, argues for a comprehensive UN reforms including the expansion of the Security Council. India is not only the largest democracy but also the single largest contributor to the peacekeeping authorised by the Security Council. Its case for permanent membership in the Security Council is therefore justified.

Even though, there is a demand for  expansion of the Security Council, present UN system vests practically unlimited power on the permanent members of the Security Council and allows the General Assembly only to play a marginal role in the area of international peace and security and the issues such as use of force. The General Assembly, a body more representative of the world's six billion people, ought to have a central role as the chief policy-making organ of the United Nations. Serious thought should be given to the relations between the General Assembly and the Security Council so that the General Assembly can be associated with the decisions of the Security Council in a democratic manner.

Consideration is to be given to the possibility of setting up within the UN, a parliamentary assembly which will facilitate the peoples to be represented more fully in the work of the UN on the lines of the European Parliament. This will help to strengthen the democratic character of the UN, which is established in the name of "the peoples of the United Nations".
 

The seminar was inaugurated by Prof. Gurdip Singh, Professor-in-Charge, Law Centre-ll, New Delhi. In his address, he narrated the importance of International Law and the problems and challenges faced while implementing the same at the domestic level.

Shri Ram Niwas Mirdha, President, ISIL welcomed the delegates and the
distinguished guests. Later, C. Jayaraj, Secretary General, ISIL gave vote of thanks.

The seminar was conducted in two sessions. Dr R.K. Dixit, Former Legal Adviser and Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) chaired the morning session. Dr. Pinky Sharma and Shri Anupam Jha presented papers on the topics viz., Constitutional Status of International Law in India and Teaching of International Law in India, respectively. Second session was chaired by Prof. P. S. Sangal, Former Professor and Dean, Law Faculty, University of Delhi. Dr. Sudhakara Reddy presented a paper on The Challenges in Negotiation, Coordination and Implementation of International Law, Smt. Aditi Choudhary presented a paper on Implementation of UN Convention on Biodiversity 1992 in India and Dr. V. K. Ahuja presented his paper on Patents Vs. Public Health- Implementation of TRIPs Agreements in India. More than 100 delegates, including law students, law teachers and lawyers were participated in the seminar. There was an effective discussion at the end of each session from the participants.

Prof. V. S. Mani, Executive President, ISIL spoke about the importance of conducting these kinds of seminars in his valedictory address. He also expressed his gratefulness to those who have presented papers and to the delegates who took participate in the proceedings.

 

In his presidential address, Justice Vijender Jain recalled his association with the ISIL. He also recalled V.K. Krishna Menon'scontribution to the development of international law and his contribution as a Defence Minister. Prof. Muchkund Dubey gave a brief narration about Krishna Menon and his efforts to disseminate the significance of international law. In his lecture he described the role of the UN in the evolution of multilateralism. He pointed out that multilateralism is not an option but inevitable for the international community, it is based on the twin pillars namely, of international law and framework of commonly shared human values. He also described the consequences of the globalisation and its significance and relevance to the multilateralism. Finally, he also made some suggestions for strengthening multilateralism.

The substantive lectures of the Course were spread over twelve days. More than 100 participants about half of them from outside Delhi, including law students, law teachers and lawyers attended the Course. Lectures were delivered on vital and contemporary areas of international law, viz., Public International Law, Private International Law, International Trade and Business Law, International Institutions, International Human Rights, International Humanitarian and Refugee Laws, International Commercial Arbitration, International Environmental Law, International Criminal Law and International Criminal Court. Shri Asif Rashid A., Researcher, ISIL was the course coordinator.

The faculty for the Summer Course comprised of eminent international law experts such as Prof. R. P. Anand, Prof. Lakshmi Jambholkar, Prof. J. L. Koul, Prof. C. Mahapatra, Dr. V. G. Hegde, Dr. A. S. Reddy, Dr. Manoj Kumar Sinha, Dr. Ravindra Pratap, Dr. Ch. Banerji, Shri Y. S. R Murthy, Shri Luther Rangreji, Ms. Sumbul Rizvi and Shri James Nedumpara.

The whole course witnessed lively interactions and discussions by the participants. The course was concluded on 2nd July 2005. In the valedictory function, Mr. Christian Hubatsch (Ph.D), visiting Research Scholar at ISIL from University of Heidelberg, Germany gave a lecture on The European Union: A General Introduction. Prof. V. C. Govinadaraj, Vice President, ISIL presided the meeting. He described the importance of the summer course on international law and the need of professionalism in pursuing the study and research in international law. Shri C. Jayaraj, Secretary General, ISIL gave vote of thanks.

The Secretary General also visited the Hague and met Dr. Oliver Ribbelink, Director, TMC Asser Institute of International Law along with Shri Bimal Patel, ISIL Coordinator for Europe. It was agreed in principle to organise an Indo-Dutch Joint Colloquium on Private International Law in Delhi in December 2006. The Secretary General also met Mr. Valantine Zellweger, the Chief de Cabinet, International Criminal Court and discussed the preparations for the ISIL's International Conference on Emerging Trends in International Criminal Law to be held on 10-11 December 2005.

Mr. Gianluca Rubagotti,

Mr. Christian Hubatsch, Research Scholar from the University of Heidelberg, Germany visited the ISIL for three months as part of his research work. He has completed his Ph. D in European Community Law. The ISIL felicitated the scholar on 2nd July 2005, where he presented a paper on The European Union: A General Introduction and expressed his gratitude to the Secretary General, Library Staff and the Researchers for their help in successfully completing his research work.

Fifth Henry Dunant Memorial Moot Court Competition

Fifth Henry Dunant Memorial Moot Court Competition will be organized by the ISIL in collaboration with ICRC from 16-18 September 2005 at the Society's premises.

International Conference on International Criminal Law and Jurisprudence

The ISIL is organising an International Conference on the Emerging Trends in International Criminal Law and Jurisprudence on 10-11 December 2005.

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