Honorary degree to be awarded to international criminal judge

The President of the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, Judge Patrick Lipton Robinson, will speak at a reception in his honor at 4 p.m. Friday at Inlow Hall of the IU School of Law-Indianapolis.

Robinson will be in Indianapolis to receive an honorary doctorate degree from Christian Theological Seminary, he will accept the degree at the seminary’s commencement ceremony Saturday.

Karen Bravo, associate professor of law at the IU School of Law-Indianapolis, said the seminary contacted her about having Robinson speak at the school.

“I thought it would be a tremendous opportunity,” she said. “Just being able to have the judge tell us a bit about the process from the horse’s mouth versus reading about it is a tremendous opportunity.”

A native of Jamaica, Robinson has also served on the World Intellectual Property Organization and the International Bioethics Committee. He is also currently the principal advisor to the United Nations Commission on Trade and Development.
His visit to the campus will complement the law school’s international focus, Bravo said.

In addition to the school’s Center for International and Comparative Law, the school also features a program in International Human Rights Law. According to an IUPUI press release, several law school students have worked with the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal in former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

Following a short speech by Robinson, the audience will be given the opportunity to ask questions.

Bravo said those questions could cover topics concerning the Caribbean, international law and the ICTY and the manner in which it has interpreted its mandate.  

“He’s going to talk about a number of issues,” Bravo said, “but he’s willing to talk about tribunal and international law in general but not speak about cases before the court. Perhaps where he sees the law evolving.”

Bravo said Robinson’s visit will offer an opportunity for all students interested in the law to learn about developments in international law.

“He’s probably honoring us by making himself available to speak,” she said.
The event is open to students as well as the general public. However, reservations are encouraged because food will be provided at the event, said Elizabeth Allington, director for external affairs at IU School of Law-Indianapolis.