Ezéchiel Amani Cirimwami

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Design and teach a master's-level course on advanced topics in Public International Law, building upon foundational principles and engaging with contemporary challenges in international relations.
• Develop and deliver lectures across four main modules:
  Nature and Evolution of International Law – critical approaches, methodologies, and theoretical perspectives;
  Sources of International Law – interpretation of treaties under the Vienna Convention, identification of customary international law, and subsidiary means of determination;
  State Responsibility – analysis of the International Law Commission's Articles on State Responsibility and emerging issues beyond the 2001 framework;
  Enforcement of International Law – study of mechanisms, compliance challenges, and evolving trends in international adjudication.
• Integrate jurisprudential analysis by engaging students with case law from the International Court of Justice, regional human rights courts, arbitral tribunals, and other international bodies.
• Incorporate the latest outputs of the International Law Commission (ILC) into classroom discussion, fostering students' understanding of codification and progressive development of international law.
• Guide critical reading and discussion of treaties, draft conclusions, and scholarly commentaries to cultivate analytical reasoning and legal argumentation skills.
• Design and evaluate assessments , including written assignments and oral presentations, measuring students' grasp of doctrinal and practical dimensions of international law.
• Supervise master's theses and research papers in Public International Law and related fields, providing methodological guidance and substantive feedback throughout the research process.
• Mentor students interested in academic research, moot court competitions, or professional careers in international organizations and legal practice.
• Contribute to curriculum development within the Faculty of Law and Criminology, ensuring alignment of teaching content with evolving international legal scholarship and practice.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Design and conduct a comparative research project examining how regional human rights courts—particularly the African Court and Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the European Court of Human Rights, and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights—have developed procedural obligations within the framework of substantive rights.
• Undertake an in-depth doctrinal and jurisprudential analysis to identify how judicial interpretation transforms substantive treaty provisions into procedural duties aimed at strengthening domestic human rights protection.
• Analyse the conceptual and normative relationship between the substantive and procedural dimensions of human rights, assessing how courts articulate their autonomy and complementarity.
• Explore the interplay between criminal law and human rights law , focusing on the emergence of procedural duties to investigate, prosecute, and sanction serious rights violations.
• Compare the judicial reasoning, interpretative methods, and remedial approaches used by the African, European, and Inter-American systems to assess convergence, divergence, and mutual influence in the proceduralisation process.
• Develop a theoretical framework explaining proceduralisation as both a manifestation of judicial activism and a tool for deepening States' positive obligations under human rights treaties.
• Draft analytical papers, case summaries, and policy notes synthesising findings for academic dissemination and expert consultations.
• Present preliminary findings at academic conferences and workshops on international adjudication and human rights protection.
• Collaborate with comparative law and international justice scholars to integrate doctrinal, empirical, and policy-oriented insights into the study.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Participated in the Centre's research and academic activities , engaging with CIL researchers on contemporary developments in international law and dispute settlement.
• Delivered a scholarly presentation titled “Procedural Battles in the DRC v. Rwanda Case: Navigating Key Legal Challenges at the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights”, analysing the procedural dynamics and jurisdictional controversies of the first inter-state case before the African Court.
• Led discussions and exchanged ideas with faculty members and research fellows on comparative approaches to regional adjudication and procedural innovations in human rights litigation.
• Contributed to interdisciplinary dialogue on State responsibility, admissibility standards, and procedural justice in inter-state and human rights litigation.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Conducted interdisciplinary research on international dispute settlement and procedural law, covering both judicial and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Contributed to the Max Planck Encyclopedia of International Procedural Law (MPEiPro) through the drafting, reviewing, and editing of scholarly entries on international adjudication and procedural developments.
• Supported the editorial coordination of the MPEiPro project by monitoring submissions, ensuring terminological and structural consistency, and liaising with contributors and editors.
• Participated in the project “The Making of International Judicial and Arbitral Decisions” , analysing decision-making processes of international courts and tribunals from legal, political, and sociological perspectives.
• Engaged in research on digital justice and artificial intelligence , exploring their procedural and human rights implications in technology-driven dispute resolution.
• Produced research notes, analytical briefs, and background reports for institutional projects and academic publications.
• Organised and participated in international conferences, workshops, and lectures on procedural law, transitional justice, and dispute resolution.
• Maintained active collaboration with scholars and institutions within and beyond the Max Planck network, fostering comparative and multidisciplinary approaches to procedural justice.
• Monitored and analysed jurisprudence of international courts and tribunals (ICJ, ICC, ITLOS, ICSID, ECHR, etc.) to identify emerging procedural trends.
• Authored and co-authored peer-reviewed publications , contributing to the advancement of knowledge in international and comparative procedural law.
• Presented research findings at academic conferences , enhancing the Institute's scholarly visibility and engagement in global research networks.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Lead the Prosecution Service at the jurisdictional level, overseeing the enforcement of criminal law and ensuring effective and impartial administration of justice.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of Deputy Public Prosecutors and judicial police officers, providing strategic guidance and ensuring procedural compliance.
• Develop and implement prosecution strategies in complex criminal, economic, and human rights cases to enhance the efficiency and coherence of prosecutorial action.
• Direct and monitor criminal investigations , ensuring the legality, timeliness, and integrity of proceedings from inquiry to trial.
• Represent the State and the public interest before national courts in criminal, civil, and administrative matters.
• Ensure the execution of judicial decisions and the enforcement of legislation and regulations relevant to public order and justice.
• Advise and assist judicial authorities by issuing reasoned opinions and recommendations on matters within the competence of the Public Prosecution Service.
• Promote professional ethics, discipline, and capacity-building among subordinate prosecutors and judicial officers.
• Contribute to national crime policy development , participating in inter-institutional meetings and judicial reform initiatives.

Case: Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (The Gambia v. Myanmar: 11 States intervening)

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Act as Counsel before the International Court of Justice in the Application of the Genocide Convention (The Gambia v. Myanmar: Seven States Intervening), contributing to the drafting of the Declaration of Intervention under Article 63 of the Court's Statute on behalf of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Advise and assist in the formulation of the legal position and interpretative approach of the intervening State concerning obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
• Conduct in-depth legal research on the interpretation and application of the Convention, the jurisprudence of the ICJ, and relevant travaux préparatoires.
• Draft and review written submissions addressing jurisdictional, interpretative, and procedural issues arising from the intervention.
• Coordinate with national authorities, experts, and the litigation team to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment of arguments with the object and purpose of the Convention.
• Engage with the Court's Registry and liaise with representatives of other intervening States on procedural matters and timelines.
• Contribute to broader strategic discussions on the role of third-State interventions in strengthening the enforcement of the prohibition of genocide under international law.

Case: Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Rwanda (Application No. 007/2023)

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Case No. 007/2023 – Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Rwanda, the first inter-State application before the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights.
• Develop and continuously refine the litigation strategy, focusing on violations of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, including the right to peace and the right to freely dispose of natural resources.
• Draft and review written pleadings and submissions, such as the Application, Reply, and observations on preliminary objections, ensuring factual precision, coherence, and procedural compliance.
• Conduct advanced legal research on the Court's jurisprudence, comparative regional practice, and international precedents related to jurisdiction, admissibility, and State responsibility.
• Coordinate with national institutions, ministries, and technical experts to collect and analyse evidence, witness statements, and supporting documentation.
• Participate in oral hearings before the Court, presenting legal arguments and responding to questions from the Bench.
• Engage with the Registry of the Court and opposing counsel on procedural matters, ensuring adherence to the Court's Rules and timelines.
• Collaborate with the litigation team to anticipate procedural challenges, prepare rebuttals, and align legal reasoning with evidentiary presentation.
• Advise national authorities on procedural follow-up, implementation measures, and external communication related to the ongoing proceedings.
• Contribute to broader reflections on inter-State litigation before the African Court, including procedural reform, State compliance, and the institutional development of the African human rights system.

Case: Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change (Request for Advisory Opinion)

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Act as Counsel before the International Court of Justice in the Request for an Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change, addressing issues of State obligations in respect of Climate Change under international law.
• Contributed to the drafting of the written statement and supporting documentation submitted on behalf of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Conducted legal research and drafted legal arguments relating to the interpretation and application of customary international law, human rights instruments, and treaty obligations relevant to climate change.
• Participated in internal strategy sessions to frame the legal position of the DRC in alignment with broader multilateral climate justice initiatives.

The Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of the Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and other International Crimes was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 15 to 26 May 2023 (MLA Diplomatic Conference).

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Plenipotentiary Delegate in the diplomatic negotiations leading to the adoption of the Ljubljana–The Hague Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes, and Other International Crimes (MLA Convention) .
• Participated in plenary sessions and drafting committees , contributing to the negotiation of substantive and procedural provisions relating to mutual legal assistance and international judicial cooperation.
• Advocated for national positions and legal priorities of the DRC concerning accountability for international crimes, protection of victims and witnesses, and cooperation among States.
• Provided expert legal input on provisions related to evidence-sharing, extradition, and jurisdictional cooperation mechanisms under international criminal law.
• Engaged in bilateral and multilateral consultations with State delegations, international organizations, and observer missions to build consensus on key treaty articles.
• Coordinated with the DRC's Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to align negotiation positions with national legislative and institutional frameworks.
• Contributed to the final review and adoption of the Convention's text, ensuring that the negotiated provisions reflected equitable international cooperation standards.
• Enhanced DRC's visibility and engagement in global efforts to strengthen accountability mechanisms for atrocity crimes.

Request for an Advisory Opinion submitted by the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS AO)

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Serve as Counsel before ITLOS in the Advisory Opinion on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS), contributing to the development of the DRC's legal position on the obligations of States under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• Draft written observations and coordinate legal inputs addressing procedural issues (jurisdiction and admissibility) and substantive questions ( primary and secondary obligations of States);
• Conduct legal and policy research on the emerging intersection between climate change, ocean governance, and State responsibility.
• Assist in formulating submissions concerning the interpretation of UNCLOS provisions on due diligence, environmental impact assessment, and cooperation.
• Engage with the Registry and expert advisors to ensure procedural compliance and technical accuracy of submissions.
• Support the alignment of the DRC's intervention with its broader environmental diplomacy and international climate commitments.

The Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of the Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and other International Crimes was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from 15 to 26 May 2023.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Served as a member of the Legal Drafting Committee appointed by the plenary of the Ljubljana Diplomatic Conference to finalise the text of the MLA Convention.
• Reviewed, refined, and harmonised treaty provisions to ensure legal coherence, consistency of terminology, and conformity with international treaty-drafting standards.
• Drafted and edited legal formulations of complex provisions relating to mutual legal assistance, extradition, evidence cooperation, and international judicial procedures.
• Assessed the compatibility of proposed amendments and revisions with existing international legal instruments and principles of State sovereignty and jurisdiction.
• Collaborated closely with the Committee Chair, rapporteurs, and representatives of States and international organizations to reconcile divergent legal positions and achieve consensus on final wording.
• Ensured linguistic and structural consistency across English and French versions of the Convention, in line with diplomatic drafting conventions.
• Provided expert legal interpretation during plenary discussions and working sessions, clarifying the scope and implications of specific treaty provisions.
• Contributed to the preparation of the final consolidated text submitted for adoption by the plenary of the Conference.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Presided over complex civil, criminal, and family law cases, ensuring fair, impartial, and timely adjudication.
• Drafted detailed legal opinions and judgments clarifying the interpretation and application of statutes, regulations, and constitutional provisions.
• Reviewed pleadings, motions, and evidence to assess admissibility and relevance in accordance with procedural law.
• Mentored junior judges and judicial staff on courtroom management, evidentiary standards, and ethical conduct.
• Streamlined case management and scheduling practices, significantly reducing the backlog of pending cases.
• Addressed potential conflicts of interest transparently, reinforcing public confidence in judicial integrity.
• Participated in legal reform and professional training initiatives, sharing insights drawn from judicial experience.
• Promoted public trust in the judiciary through outreach activities and engagement in legal education events.

• Assisted the counsel team representing the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the reparations phase before the International Court of Justice.
• Conducted comprehensive legal research on State responsibility, reparations for internationally wrongful acts, and procedural compliance with ICJ rules.
• Analysed jurisprudence from the ICJ and other international tribunals (IACtHR, ECHR, PCIJ) on the quantification and forms of reparation for large-scale human rights and humanitarian law violations.
• Reviewed and evaluated evidence and expert reports on loss of life, displacement, property destruction, and natural resource exploitation.
• Drafted legal memoranda, correspondence, and sections of written pleadings addressing causation, valuation of damages, and methodologies for calculating compensation.
• Coordinated and verified documentary evidence to ensure accuracy and procedural conformity.
• Participated in internal strategy meetings to align legal arguments, factual narratives, and expert testimony, and assisted in preparing hearing materials and responses to the Court's questions.
• Prepared post-judgment analytical notes on the Court's reasoning and its implications for the law of reparations and State responsibility.

• Ensured compliance with legislative and regulatory acts, as well as the execution of judicial decisions, in matters affecting public order and the rule of law.
• Supervised the enforcement of criminal law and initiated proceedings ex officio in cases involving the public interest.
• Led the prosecution of several complex criminal cases, ensuring adherence to legal standards and procedural integrity.
• Oversaw and coordinated the activities of judicial police officers, public officers, and ministerial officers, ensuring legality and effectiveness in investigations.
• Maintained order in courts and tribunals, without prejudice to the presiding judge's authority over courtroom discipline.
• Represented the Prosecution Service before all judicial bodies, including the Court of Cassation, Courts of Appeal, and First Instance and Peace Tribunals, participating in hearings without taking part in deliberations.
• Investigated criminal offences, received complaints and denunciations, directed investigations, and initiated prosecutions before competent courts.
• Acted in civil and administrative matters by providing reasoned legal opinions or initiating actions in the public interest or on behalf of vulnerable persons unable to defend their rights.
• Requested the appointment of legal counsel or guardians to assist individuals lacking legal representation.
• Intervened ex officio as a principal or intervening party whenever the law so required or when the public interest demanded prosecutorial involvement.
• Promoted the protection of rights and public order through impartial prosecution, judicial oversight, and strict enforcement of the law.