NEW YORK, March 25, 2004—The Iraqi Special Tribunal and its impact on transitional justice and democracy in the Middle East is the topic of a panel discussion on Tuesday, March 30 at New York Law School, 57 Worth Street (between Church Street and West Broadway). The panel discussion, to be held in the Stiefel Reading Room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., is sponsored by the New York Law School chapter of Amnesty International and the Center for International Law. This event is open to the public.  

On December 10, 2003, the Iraqi Governing Council announced the creation of the Iraqi Special Tribunal for Crimes Against Humanity to try Iraqi nationals and residents accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and certain other crimes under Iraqi law between July 17, 1968 and May 1, 2003. The Iraqi Special Tribunal has been criticized for failing to involve the international community in the tribunal's formation, investigative work and staffing.  

Panelists will address these criticisms and discuss the impact the Iraqi Special Tribunal will have on transitional justice and democracy in the region, the specific rationales for its format, and its role in a possible trial of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. Panelists include:  

• Hani Megally, director of the Middle East and Africa Division, The International Center for Transitional Justice
• Professor William Dunlap, Quinnipiac University School of Law
• Radwan A. Masmoudi, founder and president, Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy (CSID)
• Professor Ruti Teitel, New York Law School, will serve as the moderator.  

Refreshments will be served. Admission is free. This event is approved for 2 CLE credits in Professional Practice. Register for this event via e-mail to Sophie Raven at sraven.s@nyls.edu.

ABOUT NEW YORK LAW SCHOOL

Located near the centers of law, government, and finance in New York City, New York Law School is one of the oldest independent law schools in the United States. Its faculty of noted and prolific scholars has built the school’s curricular strength in the areas of tax law, labor and employment law, civil and human rights law, media and information law, urban legal studies, international and comparative law, and interdisciplinary fields such as legal history and legal ethics. The Law School enrolls 1,400 students and has more than 11,000 graduates.

Contact: Jim Hellegaard, Office of Public Affairs, 212.431.2191, jhellegaard@nyls.edu  

# # #