75 participants have joined the first digital public internal law salon on 4th June 2020, which was initiated by Univ.-Prof. Erika de Wet. PD Dr. Matthias C Kettemann and Ambassador Dr. Helmut Tichy – from a joint angle of research and practice – discussed derogation on the basis of COVID-19, problems in the context of suspended or potentially delayed elections to various international institutions under the pretext of “the current health situation” as well as a possible undermining of human rights standards. Univ.-Prof. Iris Eisenberger appealed for the urgent amendment of the Austrian law on Epidemics (“Epidemiegesetz 1950”) for more specific requirements on modelling and talked about the constitutionality of the so-called “Easter-decree” (“Ostererlass”). The main focus of discussion of Univ.-Prof. Dr. Michael Waibel was the handling of public debt, particularly a potential debt relief and the sparsely endowed EU Disaster Relief Fund.
Finally, possible positive effects of the Corona-crisis on public international law were discussed under Winston Churchill’s statement “never let a good crisis go to waste”. On the one hand, it was argued that international institutions will face difficult times and that Corona will probably not be the impetus to untie the Gordian knot, but that the situation is likely to intensify. On the other hand, some of the panelists saw positive sides to Corona. As the Brexit would be an impulse to deepen the European integration, COVID-10 would demonstrate, that only through acting collectively, states can successfully effect change. Without the help of other states, for example, the very successful repatriations of Austrians could not have taken place in the manner they were conducted.
All in all, it was a successful evening with highly interesting contributions and discussion. The Institute of International Law and International Relations wants to – again – sincerely thank the panelists and the participants for their virtual attendance!