NEWS

Professor Bimal Patel has been elected to the International Law Commission for a five-year term starting January 1, 2023 in a hard-fought election at the United Nations.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMISSION

• Body of experts
• Responsible for helping develop and codify international law
• Composed of 34 individuals recognized for their expertise and qualifications in international law, who are elected by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) every five years.
• Formed in 1947 by the UNGA pursuant to the Charter of the United Nations, which calls on the Assembly
• To help develop and systematize international law
• Held its first session in 1949, with its initial work influenced by the Second World War and subsequent concerns about international crimes such as genocide and acts of aggression.
• Held annual sessions at the U.N. Office at Geneva to discuss and debate various topics in international law and develop international legal principles accordingly.
• Responsible for several foundational developments in international law, including the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which establishes a framework for forming and interpreting treaties, and the International Criminal Court, the first permanent tribunal tasked with adjudicating offenses such as genocide and crimes against humanity.