The Hon. Chile Eboe-Osuji, former president of the International Criminal Court, will take
up apart-time appointment at the University of Windsor.
The Honourable Dr. Chile Eboe-Osuji, president of the International Criminal Court in the Hague until March 2021, has accepted an appointment as the Paul Martin Professor in Political Science, International Relations, and Law. This two-year part-time appointment commences July 1, 2021.
Prior to joining the court, Dr. Eboe-Osuji served as the legal advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva where he led interventions in cases involving human rights questions, notably writing amicus curiae submissions to the European Court of Human Rights and the United States Supreme Court.
Earlier in his career at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, he held several posts including serving as lead trial counsel for the prosecution, senior legal officer to the judges, and head of chambers.
Eboe-Osuji has an extensive record of legal scholarship and publications, including the books titled International Law and Sexual Violence in Armed Conflicts and Protecting Humanity (ed). He is also the editor-in-chief of the Nigerian Yearbook of International Law.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to have served the international community in the various capacities over the years,” he said. “To bring that experience to bear in the formation of the future leaders of our world is even the greater privilege. I’m truly honoured and deeply grateful to have that opportunity to teach at the University of Windsor on a professorial chair endowed after a truly legendary Canadian statesman.”
The Paul Martin professorship was established in honour of Paul Martin Sr., who served in Parliament for 39 years — 33 of them as an MP from Windsor, where he practised law. He served in the cabinets of four prime ministers between the administrations of William Lyon Mackenzie King and Pierre Trudeau.
The Paul Martin professorship bring to the campus persons distinguished in international affairs and law to enrich the life of the university and the wider community by contributing fresh ideas, insights, and perspectives to these two fields.
“In political science we have a longstanding and very popular international relations and development studies program. Many of our students are interested in human rights and making a difference globally,” says Cheryl Collier, professor of political science and incoming dean in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. “Learning about global environmental concerns, alleviating atrocities around the world, and advancing a peace agenda: these are some of the topics that drive our students.”
Dr. Collier says that having the ability to take a class taught by Eboe-Osuji is a rich opportunity for students: “They’ll be learning from someone who has been on the frontline of consideration of international human rights and justice issues.”
During his tenure, Eboe-Osuji will teach one course during the fall semester and one in the winter, alternating between law and political science.
“We are delighted that Prof. Eboe-Osuji will be teaching a course at Windsor Law,” says acting dean of law Beverly Jacobs. “As a former president of the International Criminal Court, and a champion in the fight against impunity for international crimes, Prof. Eboe-Osuji will bolster our traditional strength in transnational law.”
Read more about the careers of Chile Eboe-Osuji’s and Paul Martin.