Extradition law and the domestic prosecution of international crimes

Speaker: Émilie Pottle
Chair: Dr Megan Donaldon (UCL)

About the talk

Extradition—the formal surrender of an individual by one state for trial or punishment in another—makes a major difference to the prospects for prosecuting ‘international’ crimes like genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Where no international tribunal has jurisdiction, and where states in which the accused are located are not themselves willing or able to prosecute, extradition is typically an essential precondition to individuals being tried in jurisdictions which are willing to bring cases. Yet extradition is itself a complex area of law, and stark differences between states in criminal process and domestic protection for human rights can constitute obstacles to extradition even where this might otherwise be desirable, creating impasses in efforts to bring accused to justice. (For one example which is now the subject of renewed discussion, see Government of Rwanda v. Nteziryayo & ors [2017] EWHC 1912 (Admin), concerning the UK’s refusal to extradite to Rwanda a number of individuals accused of involvement in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, on the basis inter alia that they might in Rwanda suffer a flagrant violation of their rights to a fair trial).

Émilie will speak on issues arising in requests for extradition for international crimes, and on her work at the extradition bar.

The session is open to all at UCL. There will be opportunities for questions, and students are warmly encouraged to participate.

About the speaker

Émilie Pottle is is recognised as a leading junior in the field of extradition law. She has appeared for both individuals whose extradition is sought, and states seeking extradition, in leading appeals concerning the rule of law and prison conditions. She has a particular interest in the prosecution of international crimes in domestic courts, and advises government agencies and NGOs on these issues, as well as having acted in cases before the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, and the International Criminal Court.

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