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CBC

Naval Academy Midshipmen Compete in 5th Annual Clara Barton International Humanitarian Law Competition

  POSTED ON: Tuesday, March 27, 2018 1:35 PM by Information Provided by: Capt Ted Massey, USMC

ANNAPOLIS, Md. –Three Naval Academy midshipmen competed in the 5th Annual Clara Barton International Humanitarian Law Competition (CBC), March 9-11. Midshipman 1st Class (senior) Hannah Rose and Midshipmen 3rd Class (sophomores) Kevin Murray and Russ Bauer joined over 70 law students, military academy students and national security law experts from around the United States and South America for the CBC.

The CBC, which was held at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., is a simulation-based, experiential legal competition designed to expose rising professionals to the practice of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and to real world challenges IHL practitioners face during armed conflict.

Unlike traditional moot court competitions, CBC participants explore the application of the law through fictional, but realistic, case studies of armed conflict which continue to evolve throughout the competition. The competition tests participants’ knowledge of international humanitarian law and public international law, as well as their ability to present, advocate for, and defend legal positions to a diverse range of stakeholders in different simulated environments, while also offering students the chance to network with top authorities in the field.

At the CBC, the midshipmen competed against the United States Military Academy, Cincinnati Law, and Georgetown Law. Midshipmen assumed the role of legal advisors providing advice to governmental leaders about the legality of a military raid; the role of the ICRC legal advisors briefing defense leaders operating a detention facility on the basic legal requirements for treatment of detainees; the role of legal advisors to military commanders considering a military strike that may result in civilian casualties; and the role of representatives of various humanitarian organizations briefing the deputy of a governmental human rights office on potential war crimes.

Only four teams are selected to advance to the semi-finals, followed by a final round where the top two teams compete. The Naval Academy team did not place in the top four in their first year competing. However, Midshipman Rose, Murray, and Bauer received praise for their preparation, debate, and oratory skills from both coaches and judges. The midshipmen also had the opportunity to visit the Headquarters for the American Red Cross and socialize with ICRC advisors.  

The Clara Barton IHL Competition is open to students currently pursuing a Juris Doctor (J.D.), Bachelor of Laws (LLB), or Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees at law schools, as well as military academy students, from across North, Central, and South America. Teams are comprised of three individuals representing a single institution, and participants are eligible to compete in only one edition of the Clara Barton IHL Competition.

For more information on the Clara Barton International Humanitarian Law Competition, visit: https://www.clarabartoncompetition.org/.

For more information about the Naval Academy, visit www.usna.edu or the Naval Academy’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USNavalAcademy.

USNA


Category: Academics, General Interest, People