Implications of South Africa’s Genocide Case at the International Court of Justice

For the 2024 Irish Centre for Human Rights Annual Distinguished Lecture we are honoured to host the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, Francesca Albanese, and Maha Abdallah, Palestinian PhD researcher at the University of Antwerp with extensive experience working in the field of human rights and with Palestinian civil society. The expert speakers will discuss the implications of the genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

The event is organised with the sponsorship of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Project Fund, University of Galway as part of the Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week 

Please plan to arrive at least by 6 PM to have adequate time to find a seat.

Speakers

Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967

Francesca Albanese was appointed the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, by the Human Rights Council at its 49th session in March 2022 and has taken up her function as of 1 May 2022. She is a lawyer by training, specialised in human rights. Albanese is an Affiliate Scholar at the Institute for the Study of International Migration at Georgetown University, as well as a Senior Advisor on Migration and Forced Displacement for a think-tank, Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD). She has widely published on the legal situation in Israel, occupied Palestine and Palestinian refugees and the State of Palestine and regularly teaches and lectures on international law and forced displacement at universities in Europe and the Arab region. Ms. Albanese has also worked as a human rights expert for the United Nations, including the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees.

Maha Abdallah, Teaching Assistant & PhD researcher at the Faculty of Law, University of Antwerp.

Maha Abdallah is a teaching assistant and PhD researcher at the Faculty of Law, University of Antwerp. Her research investigates the legal framework of genocide in relation to Zionism, settler-colonialism and the Palestinian people. Maha has carried out legal research and human rights advocacy at UN and EU levels with Palestinian, regional and international civil society organisations with a primary focus on Palestine, as well as Syria, Yemen, and corporate accountability in conflict-affected areas. She continues to be active with civil society in Palestine and beyond in the pursuit of human rights and justice. Maha has authored and co-authored academic papers, reports, and articles on international law and human rights. She obtained her LL.M. in International Human Rights Law from the Irish Centre for Human Rights in Galway, Ireland, in 2017. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a specialization in Public and International Law from The American University in Cairo (AUC).

Programme of the event