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LAOS - Inter-University Cooperation Project Luxembourg - LaosIntegration into ROLAG programme and first activities
On 11th January 2024 LuxDev signed a collaboration agreement with the University of Luxembourg integrating the Inter-University Cooperation Project, which has been implemented in Laos by the University of Luxembourg, a Liaison officer and in collaboration with the Institute for Legal Support and Technical Assistance (ILSTA) since 2017, into the Rule of law, access to justice and good governance (ROLAG) programme.
In March of 2024 the first activity of the Inter-University Cooperation project under the ROLAG programme was carried out. A team of students from the Faculty of Law and Political Science, Vientiane was coached and supported in participating at the 22nd International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot Court Competition in Hong Kong.
The competition, organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), took place from 6 to 9 March 2024, and serves as a platform for young legal minds across the region to engage with pressing humanitarian issues and advocate for the protection of human dignity in times of conflict. This year, the competition hosted 22 teams of law students from different universities across the Asia-Pacific Region.
Every year, the Inter-University Cooperation Project organises the National round (1st stage) of the IHL Moot Court in Laos and supports the winning team to participate at the international round of the competition in Hong Kong. In preparation of the competition, Dr Perrine Simon, and Paulina Baschton (Project Liaison Officer) coached the Lao team intensively until the last day of the competition. The team worked extremely hard and put a lot of effort into this highly competitive moot court.
Although the team from the National University of Laos did not advance to the quarterfinals, the team garnered positive feedback from judges, showcasing their oral pleading skills. Moreover, the team received a good scoring in the written memorials with an average of good-good+. It is also notable that the Lao team met the team from the Philippines (the team that later won the overall competition) in the very first round and did a very good job pleading against such a strong team.
This moot court, organised by the ICRC, is a great way to stimulate legal thinking, by learning how to develop legal arguments appropriately. Students have also improved their critical thinking and problem-solving, analytical, presentation and debating skills - and further developed their English language skills!
This year’s moot problem presented a complex scenario revolving around a conflict between traditional religious values and economic development. It involved allegations against a religious leader for crimes against humanity and war crimes, including the purchase and use of drones and cluster munitions, resulting in civilian harm, as well as the recruitment of minors for hostilities. The problem addressed contemporary issues, such as the use of drones and cluster munitions in warfare.
After four days of competition, the University of San Agustin (team from the Philippines) won the competition. The first runner-up was awarded to the Thammasat University. Ms. Samantha Grajo from the University of San Agustin was awarded as the Best Mooter of the Final Round. Tribhuvan University received the award for the best prosecution memorial, while the University of Adelaide was honoured with the best defence memorial. For more details on the 22nd IHL Moot Court competition results and announcements, follow the official link.
During the days of the event, students also had the opportunity to attend the Keynote Seminar on “Urban Warfare and the Relevance of IHL in Preventing and Reducing Civilian Harm”. The panel discussion of this Keynote Seminar was led by Ms Marwa Shabbar (Head of Legal Department, Regional Delegation for East Asia, the ICRC) and Dr James Fry (Associate Professor of Faculty of Law, the University of Hong Kong). At the end of the session, participants had a chance to raise their question and discuss with the panellists.
We are very proud of the achievements of the Lao team of 2024!
The Inter-University Cooperation Project between the National University of Laos, Faculty of Law and Political Science, and the University of Luxembourg is funded by the Government of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, and since January 2024, has been integrated into the ROLAG programme, which is jointly implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, ILSTA and the University of Luxembourg.
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