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In this episode, Jonathan speaks with Sean Murphy - a former president of the American Society of International Law and currently the Special Rapporteur on Crimes Against Humanity for the UN's International Law Commission. In this role he has led efforts to draft articles for a world-first dedicated treaty to prevent and punish crimes against humanity. (https://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/draft_articles/7_7_2019.pdf)

Professor Sean Murphy teaches, writes, and practices in the fields of public international law and U.S. foreign relations law at George Washington University Law School in Washington DC.

Before joining GW Law faculty in 1998, Professor Murphy served as legal counselor at the U.S. Embassy in The Hague, arguing several cases before the International Court of Justice and representing the U.S. government in matters before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. He also served as U.S. agent to the Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal, arguing cases on behalf of the U.S. government and providing advice to U.S. nationals appearing before that tribunal. Between 1987 and 1995, he served in the U.S. Department of State Office of the Legal Adviser, primarily advising on matters relating to oceans and international environmental law, international claims, and international humanitarian law. Since leaving the U.S. Government, Professor Murphy has represented several countries in international courts and tribunals, including Ethiopia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Suriname, Uganda and the United States, and has served as an arbitrator in inter-State and investor-State arbitrations.

Professor Murphy has published numerous articles on international law – including on international environmental law, and law of the sea issues. Since 2012, Professor Murphy has served as a member of the UN International Law Commission, and now, into his second term he serves as special rapporteur for crimes against humanity.

Professor Murphy also served as the President of the American Society of International Law.

Relevant links:

ILC Draft Articles on prevent and punishment of crimes against humanity - https://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/draft_articles/7_7_2019.pdf

Sean Murphy's profile at George Washington University Law School - https://www.law.gwu.edu/sean-d-murphy

International Law Commission (of the United Nations) - https://legal.un.org/ilc/

American Society of International Law - https://www.asil.org/