San Diego County Bar Association International Law Section

Uruguay has legalized same-sex marriage, making it the second South American country to do so along with Argentina. http://www.aljazeera.com///2013/04/201341105239642840.html

International Criminal Law / Peace Studies News: The UN General Assembly is debating the role of the international criminal justice system in reconciliation. The U.S. is boycotting the meeting along with other nations because the meeting's organizer, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, is alleged to have convened the meeting to criticize the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and divert attention away from the role of Serbia in the Balkan war...s. However, there have been a number of studies over the years which have called into question the role of western-style retributive justice models in the restorative and reconciliation models which, allegedly, are aimed at regional transitional peace. An interesting debate for sure! Check out the link for more details below on the UN debate.... http://lawprofessors.typepad.com//2/04/reconciliation.html

Today, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta was sworn in as Kenya's new president. He, along with his deputy president-elect, both face trial in the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity during Kenya's 2007-2008 post-election violence. This is the first time a sitting head of state will be concurrently standing trial for purported violations of international law while running a State. Human Rights Watch has an interesting Q&A on these cases and the recent developments in Kenya... http://www.hrw.org//kenya-qa-recent-developments-internati

The Asian Society of International Law has issued a call for papers for its 4th Biennial Conference, Asia and International Law in the Twenty-First Century: New Horizons, which will be hosted by the Indian Society of International Law in New Delhi, from November 14-16, 2013. The deadline for abstract submission is April 15, 2013. Check out the link below!

For those who practice immigration law, or who are interested in the issue, the following is a call for papers on detention of migrants and refugee / asylum applications. http://www.fmreview.org/detention

Attention Law School Students and Recent Grads: Opinio Juris, one of the most influential international law blogs, has an open call for papers. Check out the link below! http://opiniojuris.org/2013//06/new-voices-call-for-papers/

Interesting post from LieberCode discussing the legal complications associated with the administration's handover of the drone program from the CIA to the Department of Defense, including issues relating to the assertion of the "combatancy privilege." http://www.liebercode.org//cia-personnel-drones-and-privil

UN High Commissioner on Human Rights says continued operation of Guantanamo Bay violates international law. What do you think? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22046979

Today marks the 1,000 day before the target day for the UN to reach the Millennium Development Goals which were set in 2000. Here is a blog post from Ban Ki-moon today, the UN Secretary-General, on his vision for the next 1,000 days. http://www.huffingtonpost.com//millenium-development-goals

As you all may be aware, the American Society of International Law (ASIL) is holding its annual meeting in Washington D.C. this week. Diane Marie Amann, a professor of law at the University of Georgia and the current International Criminal Court Prosecutor’s Special Adviser on Children in Armed Conflict, offered this speech on "International Law and the Future of Peace" upon receiving the Prominent Women in International Law award during yesterday’s ASIL Women in International Law Interest Group Luncheon. http://dianemarieamann.com//international-law-the-future-/

From SCOTUSblog: Petition of the Day An interesting potential case filed today involving the interplay of sovereign immunity against judgment and/ enforcement principles under FSIA and international law. Case could involve SCOTUS examination of International Court of Justice's 2012 ruling in the Germany v. Italy case. We'll keep you posted on any cert developments! http://www.scotusblog.com/2013/04/petition-of-the-day-429/

International environmental law development: 49 strong LDC group makes steps to hasten UN talks... http://www.guardian.co.uk//climate-change-greenhouse-gas-e

Hello International Law Section Members! There's still time to register for our upcoming CLE, Basics of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). This event features Patrick Martin, Esq. and Professor William H. Byrnes, and will provide guidance for compliance with reporting and withholding requirements under the FATCA. The FATCA is here to stay, and requires new reporting of foreign assets and myriad withholding obligations for taxpayers with relationships with non-...U.S. parties. This is a brown bag event. Early registrations are due by noon tomorrow to avoid the $5.00 late fee! Walk-ins are always welcome, but will pay a $5.00 late registration fee and will be accommodated as space allows. Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Place: SDCBA Conference Center, 401 West A St., Ste. 120 (1st Floor) For those that are unable to make it downtown, we are also offering this CLE as a live webcast! This way, you can conveniently watch the program from the comfort of your own office or anywhere else with internet access. Go to the link below to register! We look forward to meeting you all there. https://www.sdcba.org/index.cfm