Judgment Day

This is my last week at the Tribunal, so it’s fitting that today the court announced the judgment on my first case. During my first two months in The Hague, I worked on a prosecution team in the trial of the general who oversaw the siege of Sarajevo in 1994-1995. This morning, the court found him guilty of murder, terror and inhumane acts and sentenced him to 33 years in prison. I attended the court session and sat about twenty feet away from the defendant. The session was a little anticlimactic, and it’s strange to look someone in the eye with the knowledge that you helped send them to jail; but, knowing all that he’s done, I can’t think of anyone more deserving.

I don’t have much time to write, as I’m trying to finish my final paper for the semester. It’s been a good week this week, though. My trial team had a Sinterklaas/Hannukah party, and we’ll have a going away party in my honor during work on Friday. I also went on one more bike ride, this time to see the International Criminal Court. I went to a great international conference this week, where I heard speeches from one of the UN nuclear inspectors of Iraq, the head of the UN inquiry into Darfur, one of the judges of the International Court of Justice, and lots of other speakers. The Hague is a pretty good place to find these conferences. I found it interesting that multiple speakers commented on the grossly unfair and one-sided nature of the UN human rights inquiries into Israel. It’s refreshing to hear that from people who aren’t Jewish or American; it’s nice to know that others notice.

This week has many fun things ahead, including plans to hit the town with a Dutch water-polo team this weekend. (Long story...) My friend Isaiah arrives tomorrow, and then the two of us are off to Ireland and France. Woohoo! As such, this may be my last post, unless I somehow have a chance to recap our travels on the way back. I’ll be in LA on the 25th; it’s been a great few months, and I can’t wait to see everyone soon!

(P.S. I don't know why my font is being weird...)