Human rights shake-up needed for Syria, Iraq and Ukraine say legal experts

Legal experts from The University of Manchester are campaigning for clarity on how justice can be dispensed in territories like Syria, Iraq and Ukraine.

Academics from the Manchester International Law Centre, which is part of the University, are calling on leading law and policy experts from Europe and the Middle East to produce guidelines on how justice should be administered in non-international armed conflicts, especially when the State has collapsed completely or is absent.

Working with Lawyers for Justice in Libya and the Syrian Legal Development Programme, the Manchester International Law Centre is hosting a workshop aimed at developing guidelines on justice for war-torn countries.

Jean d’Aspremont and Iain Scobbie are Professors of Public International Law and Directors of the Manchester International Law Centre. Professor Scobbie said: “Many areas of the world are currently being torn apart by non-international asymmetric armed conflicts between governments and non-State armed groups. Some of these territories such as Syria, Iraq and Ukraine are no longer completely under governmental control and in these circumstances the ability of courts to function effectively is all too often precarious.”  

Professor d’Aspremont continued: “The result is that justice is denied to the civilian population: crimes go unpunished, contracts remain unenforced, and injuries are not compensated. There is a pressing need to reflect on how justice may be carried out in territories where no government is in effective control.” 

During the workshop Professors d’Aspremont and Scobbie and their colleagues will identify and discuss standards aimed at guaranteeing the delivery of justice and the security of courts countries overridden by civil conflict. 

Professor d'Aspremont said: “This workshop will be the first step in a process which is aimed at producing guidelines, drawing on existing best practice and informed by human rights and international humanitarian law, which will strengthen the role of justice and the judicial process in times of civil conflict. The Manchester International Law Centre aims to be a key player in this debate.”

Notes for editors

Professors Jean d'Aspremont and Iain Scobbie are available for interview and can be contacted via the Media Relations Office.

Media enquiries to:

Kath Paddison
Media Relations Officer
The University of Manchester
Tel: 0161 275 0790
Mob: 07990 550050
Email: kath.paddison@manchester.ac.uk