US Ambassador Stephen Rapp on the “challenge of Syria”

US Ambassador-at-Large Stephen Rapp will give a public lecture at UNSW Law next Wednesday 20 May, on the international law challenges posed by Syria.

Stephen Rapp, who heads the Office of Global Criminal Justice in the Department of State, will speak on “Achieving justice when courts are not yet able: The challenge of Syria”. The highly anticipated event is being co-hosted by UNSW’s Australian Human Rights Centre (AHRCentre) and Thomson Reuters.

Since he took up the role five and a half years ago, Ambassador Rapp has been credited for seeking practical ways to advance the cause of accountability for mass atrocities, exploring a host of options for prosecuting Syrian rights abusers outside Syria and enhancing American support for the International Criminal Court.

Previously, Ambassador Rapp served as Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone. During his tenure, his office won the first convictions in history for recruitment and use of child soldiers and for sexual slavery and forced marriage as crimes under international humanitarian law.

What: Achieving justice when courts are not yet able: The challenge of Syria: Ambassador Rapp

When: 6-7.30pm, Wednesday, 20 May

Where: G23, UNSW Law Building, UNSW, Kensington campus

Media are welcome to attend the event, but please RSVP to Susi Hamilton, UNSW Media Office, 9385 8920 or 0422 934 024