Experts to Examine Cyberwarfare and Armed Conflict through the Lens of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

Diane Orentlicher, Former Deputy for War Crimes Issues at the Department of State, to Give Keynote Remarks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 26, 2012 - Experts will address cyberwarfare and the law of armed conflict as it relates to human rights and international humanitarian law, at a unique and cutting-edge conference at American University Washington College of Law, March 28.

The conference, hosted by the law school’s Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is also the culmination of the second annual International Humanitarian Law Student Writing Competition, held in coordination with the American Society for International Law’s Lieber Society on the Law of Armed Conflict. Competition winners will present their papers to a panel of distinguished IHL experts followed by a luncheon keynote address by American University Washington College of Law professor, Diane Orentlicher. The address, “Reflections on the Obama Administration's Policies onAtrocities Crimes,” will be Orentlicher’s first public presentation on her experience as the 2009-2011 deputy for War Crimes Issues at the U.S. Department of State.

The afternoon session, “Cyber Warfare and IHL – A New Frontier?” will feature a roundtable discussion among IHL experts on the emerging issue of cyber warfare as it relates to international humanitarian law.

More information or register for the event.

Media interested in attending the event should contact Megan Smith, (202) 274-4276.

AGENDA

9:45 - 10:15 a.m. - Welcome Remarks

  • Claudio Grossman, dean, American University Washington College of Law
  • Col. Richard Jackson, chairperson, Lieber Society on the Law of Armed Conflict, American Society for International Law

10:15 - 12:00 p.m. - Presentation and Discussion of Winning Papers

Student winners:

  • Marcos Kotlik, first place winner from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Towards Equality of Belligerents: Why Are Armed Groups Bound by IHL?
  • Sarah Brechwald, Second place winner from the University of Texas School of Law
    • Material Support for Terrorism as a Law of War Offense: An Analysis of US v. Hamdan and US v. Al Bahlul

Panel of IHL experts:

  • Lucy Brown, senior legal adviser, American Red Cross
  • Lt. Col. Mike Cole, British Army, Army Legal Services
  • Laura Olson, Blackletter Consulting, LLC
  • Hadar Harris, executive director, American University Washington College of Law Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (moderator)

Noon - 12:30 p.m. - Lunch Buffet

12:30 – 1:15 p.m. - Keynote Address: Reflections on the Obama Administration's Policies on Atrocity Crimes

  • Diane Orentlicher, professor of law, American University Washington College of Law; former deputy for War Crimes Issues, U.S. Department of State (2009-2011)

1:15 – 1:30 p.m. - Break

1:30 – 3:15 p.m. - Interactive Experts Roundtable: Cyber Warfare and the Law of Armed Conflict

  • Kenneth Anderson, professor of law, American University Washington College of Law
  • Laurie Blank, director, International Humanitarian Law Clinic, Emory University
  • Cordula Droege, cyberwarfare expert, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva
  • Paul Rosenzweig, Esq., distinguished visiting fellow, Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute; professorial lecturer in law, George Washington University
  • Sean Watts, professor, Creighton University
  • Col. Richard Jackson, Lieber Society on the Law of Armed Conflict (moderator)

3:15 p.m. - Closing Remarks

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About American University Washington College of Law

In 1896, American University Washington College of Law became the first law school in the country founded by women. More than 100 years since its founding, this law school community is grounded in the values of equality, diversity, and intellectual rigor. The law school's nationally and internationally recognized programs (in clinical legal education, trial advocacy, international law, and intellectual property to name a few) and dedicated faculty provide its 1700 JD, LL.M., and SJD students with the critical skills and values to have an immediate impact as students and as graduates, in Washington, DC and around the world. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu.