Assembly/AU/11 (XIII)
Annex II
Page 4
Terms of Reference
4.
According to the Terms of Reference of the Technical Ad hoc Expert Group, its
report would:
− Provide a description of the legal notion of the principle of universal jurisdiction,
setting out the distinctions between the jurisdiction of international criminal tribunals
and the exercise of universal jurisdiction and related concepts by individual states on
the basis of their national laws;
− Outline the respective understandings on the African and EU sides regarding the
principle of universal jurisdiction and its application; and
− Make, as appropriate, recommendations for fostering a better mutual understanding
between the AU and the EU of the purpose and the practice of universal jurisdiction.
5.
The AU and EU appointed six independent experts, to be assisted by a
secretariat of four officials.
The independent experts appointed were:
Professor Antonio Cassese (Italy)
Professor Pierre Klein (Belgium)
Dr Roger O’Keefe (Australia)
The secretariat comprised:
Mr Ben Kioko, Legal Counsel, AU
Commission
Mr Fafré Camara, Legal Officer, AU
Commission
Dr Mohammed Bedjaoui (Algeria)
Dr Chaloka Beyani (Zambia)
Professor Chris Maina Peter (Tanzania)
Dr Sonja Boelaert, Legal Advisor,
European Commission
Mr Rafael de Bustamante Tello, UN and
ICC Desk, General Secretariat of the
Council of the EU
6.
A first meeting was held in Brussels on 14-15 January 2009, at which the
Technical Ad hoc Expert Group elected its Co-Chairmen (Dr Mohammed
Bedjaoui and Professor Antonio Cassese) and Rapporteurs (Dr Chaloka Beyani
and Dr Roger O´Keefe). A second meeting was held in Addis Ababa on 30 and
31 March 2009.
7.
All experts served in their personal capacities. They were not bound by AU, EU
or national government instructions, official political positions or the like. The
views expressed by the independent experts are their own expert opinions. They
do not claim, nor are they to be taken, to represent the views of the AU or EU or
of any of their organs or institutions, let alone the views of any AU or EU Member
State or of any other institution with which they may be associated.
Version 31 March 09(FINAL)