International Criminal Law Services

Country:   The Hague, Netherlands
Date:   Annually for 3 months between Nov 2011 – Feb 2012
Funding:  

Castan Centre Global Internship Fund: $7375
Eligible students may also apply for additional Equity Grants 
Number of places:   Two (2) students per year
Applications due:  *15 August 2011*

 

Organisation profile

The International Criminal Law Services is an independent organisation founded to contribute to the realisation of international criminal justice and to the restoration and strengthening of peace, democracy and the rule of law and reconciliation. It was created in 2004 by experts in the field of international criminal, humanitarian and human-rights law, to increase awareness and bring justice to perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. 

Located in The Hague, this non-profit organization provides three main services: training, advice and support to a range of clients and beneficiaries including national, hybrid and international courts, judges, prosecutors, defence counsel, governmental authorities, armed forces, businesses and NGOs. It draws on the extensive experience of directors, advisers and staff and on its network of experienced colleagues in conducting its work.

ICLS' recent programs include partnering with the Institute for International Criminal Investigations to conduct training and awareness-raising events for Ugandan justice officials to assist with the countries efforts to end impunity for atrocity crimes. A future project of the ICLS will include developing training materials for the former Yugoslavia to implement a comprehensive practice-oriented training curriculum on international criminal and humanitarian law, particularly relating to genocide and crimes against humanity.  

This internship is prefect for students interested in international criminal law and international humanitarian law and who want to be based in The Hague. ICLS works with other NGOs and the internship will provide interns with exposure to different organisations working in ICL and IHL.

For more information, please refer to the ICLS website.

Intern Profile

NOTE:  2 internship positions are offered with ICLS. It is anticipated that the interns will intern during the same time period so the start and end dates of this internship are slightly less flexible than others.

The Global Interns will be involved in conducting research for ICLS' many projects and may include researching and drafting assignments on ICLS' guide on International Criminal Law for business people among others.  

ICLS works in a decentralised and project based manner and interns will be required to work independently with little supervision. The interns will be based in ICLS' office in The Hague which is part of an NGO community with other NGOs and interns in the same building. While the interns will be alone in the ICLS office at times, the ICLS supervisors would be in daily contact. ICLS staff will also ensure that the global interns are connected with sufficient and relevant people within the building. 
 
In addition to carrying out legal research work, the interns will attend relevant meetings and conferences in The Hague, including proceedings at the ICC and ICTY. 

Please note, due to the limited administrative staff at ICLS, the Global Interns will be responsible for organising their own visas, accomodation and other travel arrangements.

Eligibility criteria

Interns must have an understanding of international law and it would be helpful for the interns to have taken a unit on international criminal law and procedure (though this is not mandatory).

Please click here for eligibility criteria.

Selection Criteria

The following selection criteria will be taken into account by the Castan Centre in choosing the intern and applicants are advised to directly address each criterion in the personal statement.

  • A demonstrated interest in human rights as shown through your practical or academic experiences;
  • Particular interest in the work currently being undertaken by ICLS;
  • Particular interest in international criminal law and international humanitarian law and some knowledge of international law;
  • Strong academic record, in particular marks received in human rights and other relevant subjects;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills;
  • The ability to work independently with little supervision.

Application process

This internship is part of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law's annual Global Internship Program.  For full details of the application process, go to the Global Internship homepage.

Equity grants

The Student Mobility Equity Grants have been developed as part of the Law Faculty Student Mobility Fund to provide financial assistance for faculty internship programs to those students who can demonstrate financial hardship. Students are advised to apply for Equity Grants by the Equity Grant application deadline. Contact Cathy Meredith (below) for more details about Equity Grants.

Contact information

If you would like further information about this internship please contact:

SMF queries
Cathy Meredith
International Programs Officer 
Student Services Level 1
Faculty of Law Building 12
Clayton campus

Phone: +61 3 9905 3311

 

or    

 All other queries
Erica Contini
Castan Centre Project Officer
Castan Centre Level 3
Faculty of Law Building 12
Clayton Campus

Phone:  +61 3 9905 3318

Forms

Global Internship Application Form

Other Useful Information

Accommodation and cost of living hints