As part of the Tribunal's Youth Outreach Project, Aleksandar Kontić, Legal Advisor in the Immediate Office of the Prosecutor, last week delivered two lectures in Podgorica, Montenegro. The first lecture, "Guilty Pleas at the ICTY", was delivered to 40 students of the Law faculty of the University Donja Gorica (UDG). The second lecture, on the topic "Milestones and Achievements of the ICTY Prosecution of War Crimes in the Former Yugoslavia", was given later the same day to 40 students of the Law faculty and Faculty of Political sciences of the Podgorica University (PU).
Students at the UDG showed great interest in the topic and asked thoughtful questions regarding the impact of guilty pleas on the procedure at the ICTY, the work of the ICTY in general, specific cases such as Gotovina et al. and Šešelj, and the issue of reconciliation.
Students at PU were interested to learn more about the Trial Chambers’ findings regarding genocide in various municipalities of BiH in the Karadžić case, as well as how intent to commit genocide can be proven. The Šešelj case was also a topic of discussion. One student enquired why the Trial Chamber did not find Šešelj responsible for hate speech, commenting that new generations are now exposed to such discourse. The alleged crimes committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army were also discussed.
The teaching staff at both Universities provided assistance to the lecturers in preparing and delivering the talks, and thanked the Outreach Programme for organizing the lectures. They also expressed interest in continuing cooperation with the Tribunal.