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China: students meet at tenth Red Cross IHL Moot Court

30-03-2012 Photo gallery

From March 8 to March 10, more than 70 students from 20 universities in Asia and the Pacific regions got together to test their knowledge of IHL, as well as their ability to apply the knowledge in practical matters. Over these intense days,law students dealt with a tough case involving a colonel accused of war crimes in a fictional armed conflict. This moot court competition was organized by the ICRC, the Hong Kong Red Cross, the University of Hong Kong, the City University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Its aim is to spread knowledge of international humanitarian law throughout the region and beyond.

  • Panda Hotel, Hong Kong. Departure time! A member of the Hong Kong Red Cross holds up a placard to signal to mooters that a bus is leaving for the competition venue.
    • Panda Hotel, Hong Kong. Departure time! A member of the Hong Kong Red Cross holds up a placard to signal to mooters that a bus is leaving for the competition venue.
      © ICRC / Y. Sun

    The Hong Kong Red Cross devoted tremendous amounts of time, resources and organizational skills to play host for the 10th Red Cross IHL Moot Court.  

  • University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Sayna Motamedi from Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran argue for the prosecution during their first general round match.
    • University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Sayna Motamedi from Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran argue for the prosecution during their first general round match.
      © ICRC / Y. Sun

    This was the first time that a team from Iran had participated in the event.

  • University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Manuel Elijah Sarausad, a mooter from the University of Cebu in the Philippines, argues for the Prosecution in their second general round match.
    • University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Manuel Elijah Sarausad, a mooter from the University of Cebu in the Philippines, argues for the Prosecution in their second general round match.
      © ICRC / Y. Sun

    Later, he and his team were ecstatic to learn that they made it into the semi-final round.

  • University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. A relaxing moment! Teams from Xia Men University China and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam posed for a snapshot with a volunteer from Hong Kong University (centre) after facing off in the general round.
    • University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. A relaxing moment! Teams from Xia Men University China and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam pose for a snapshot with a volunteer from Hong Kong University (centre) after facing off in the general round.
      © ICRC / Y. Sun

    Each team was impressed by the other's performance. This event was the first in which a team from Vietnam competed.

  • University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Members of the Chinese University of Hong Kong team are overjoyed to learn that they have made it into the semi-finals.
    • University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Members of the Chinese University of Hong Kong team are overjoyed to learn that they have made it into the semi-finals.
      © ICRC / Y. Sun

    The team double check their scores for mistakes. Getting into the next round means more reading, research and preparation.

  • Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre, Hong Kong. Teams participate in an ice-breaker to get to know each other better.

    They were literally tied up in knots, and had to figure out how to free themselves by working together. Many smiles and much laughter ensued, as pairs of mooters tried to decide what to do.

  • King & Wood Mallesons law office, Hong Kong. The night before the semi-finals, all mooters take part in a keynote seminar on international humanitarian law.

    ICRC academic relations adviser Etienne Kuster discusses contemporary challenges to the law.

  • Panda Hotel, Hong Kong. Every available minute is precious to the mooters, so they use the time spent waiting for the bus to read and prepare in the hotel foyer.

    The University of Melbourne team makes its final preparations before heading to the venue.

  • High Court, Hong Kong. The winners of the 10th Red Cross IHL moot court competition: the University of Hong Kong.

    In some ways, all the teams were winners. They made new friends from other countries and experienced the beauty of Hong Kong. They honed their skills in advocacy and argumentation, and they deepened their knowledge of international humanitarian law.


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