Despite the COVID-19 related cancellation of the 45th "Österreichische Völkerrechtstag", the Institut of International Law was very pleased to organise with the help of our practice professor, Ambassador Helmut Tichy, the "practitioners' panel" which has become an integral part of every traditional Völkerrechtstag.
On Friday, 11 June 2021, the respective heads of the international law offices of the foreign ministries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland (or their deputies) discussed the latest topics and developments in international law as part of this online panel discussion.
Dr Christophe Eick, advisor on international law to the Federal Government and Head of the Legal Department of the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, spoke on the immunity of state officials before foreign national criminal courts, referring in particular to the decision of the Federal Supreme Court ("Bundesgerichtshof") of 28 January 2021.
Ambassador Roger Dubach, Deputy Head of the Directorate of International Law of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, addressed the issue of data sovereignty and the need for conflict-of-law rules in this regard.
Ambassador Dr Helmut Tichy, LL.M. (Cantab.), Head of the International Law Office of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, discussed the interest of the Human Rights Council in Austria's treaty obligations and reported on Austria's most recent third UPR review in January 2021.
Ambassador Dr Konrad Bühler, Deputy Head of the International Law Office of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, lastly described an example of treaty interpretation in practice, namely the interpretation of the term "border area" of the Berlin Agreement of 1937 in connection with cross-border transport of corpses.
The cancellation of the 45th Völkerrechtstag was of course regrettable, and the Institute of International Law was therefore all the more pleased about the stimulating Practitioner Panel. The Institute would like to take this opportunity to thank the speakers once again for their exciting contributions!
To the delight of all participants, Prof. Dr Hans-Georg Dederer lastly announced that the 46th Völkerrechtstag will be held in Passau!