APCML CONDUCTS LEGAL MODULE
International Peace Operations Seminar - Canberra
29 July – 10 August 2007

The APCML sponsored a two-day legal module as part of the International Peace Operations Seminar (IPOS) conducted by the ADF Peacekeeping Centre in Canberra in the period 29 July – 10 August 2007. IPOS 2007 brought together about 50 military officers and civilians (from organisations such as the Australian Red Cross) from Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, PNG, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The legal module was conducted on 1 and 2 August 2007. The team for the legal module consisted of Professor Tim McCormack, CAPT Dale Stephens RAN, Dr. Helen Durham, Commander Rob McLaughlin, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Muggleton and Major Craig Barker. The program delivered was diverse, consisting of presentations on the following: The Impact of Culture on Peace Operations; The UN and Rule of Law; The Legal Framework for Peace Operations; Key Legal Principles and Standards eg International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law; Particular Legal Issues eg Detention; and Rules of Engagement and the Use of Force. Also included in the module was an exercise which examined a number of legal issues in the context of a large-scale peace operation. The legal module was very well received by seminar participants, reflecting an appreciation of the importance of the rule of law in peace operations.

The International Peace Operations Seminar is a significant annual activity and is one that the APCML is pleased to support.

	Some APCML Staff Members and IPOS 2007 Participants

Contact details:

University Node Cathy Hutton Administrator Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law Law School The University of Melbourne VIC 3010 AUSTRALIA Tel: + 61 3 8344 4775 Fax: + 61 3 8344 0054 Email: law-apcml@unimelb.edu.au

Military Node Ian Martin Administrator Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law Building 100 Randwick Barracks Avoca Street RANDWICK NSW 2031 AUSTRALIA Tel: + 61 2 9349 0628 Fax: +61 2 9349 0757 Email: mlc.admin@defence.gov.au