Rachael Deceuster and Dr. Darren Hawkins, Political Science
The purpose of my research was to discover the origins of the recent international criminal tribunals in Yugoslavia and Rwanda to prosecute persons accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. I focused on the Yugoslav tribunal because it was the first since the Nuremburg and Tokyo tribunals after WWII. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was the first in a series of international tribunals, including the newly formed and controversial International Criminal Court (ICC).
I hypothesized that the end of the Cold War opened up space for non-state actors such as public relations firms, the media, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals in important positions to exert influence on powerful states. These non-state actors are no longer constrained within the superpower conflict between the US and the Soviet Union. The more open-ended international system has allowed different international groups to gain influence and push for functional international courts.
I researched several books and journal articles by renowned authors on the subject. I kept notes on relevant material in anticipation of using it to write a paper. I explored the websites of several non-state actors that were instrumental in establishing the tribunals. I gained extensive knowledge of the events leading up to and surrounding the tribunals, especially in Yugoslavia and Rwanda. I wrote a paper focusing on the establishment of the ICTY. I found evidence that public relations firms such as Ruder Finn; the media, nongovernmental organizations such as Helsinki Watch, Physicians for Human Rights, and several foundations; as well as concerned individuals in important positions such as Secretary of State Madeleine Albright contributed to the ICTY.
This research formed the basis of an extensive research project in Copenhagen, Denmark during the fall 2001 semester. Dr. Darren Hawkins will use this information to know where to start in a city full of primary documents on the establishment of enforceable human rights institutions such as the ICTY. Dr. Hawkins hopes to write a book based on the information he gathers in Copenhagen.
This project was very challenging. I learned so much about what goes on behind the scenes in the international arena. I was saddened to learn what terrible things man is capable of doing. However, I have learned that the world is coming together to fight against human rights abuses by establishing tribunals. I am grateful to have received an ORCA Grant. It enabled me to expand my undergraduate experience and become more aware of the world around me.