Unique glimpse in history

Today, the participants to the '68e Leergang Buitenlandse Betrekkingen' (68th Course on Foreign Relations or LBB) got a unique glimps in international legal history. To kick of the 4th module - 'International Law and International Human Rights' - in the 12-week LBB, two special speakers were invited to speak to the group: professor Niels Blokker, an international law professor at Leiden University and Jeroen Vervliet, Director at the Peace Palace Library.

Hugo Grotius' books

Jeroen Vervliet took with him a number of Hugo Grotius originals from the first half of the 17th century to show to the participants. While the priceless volumes, like Mare Liberum (the free sea) and De Jure Belli ac Pacis (on the law of war and peace), circled around the group, Jeroen Vervliet very vividly told the story of Hugo Grotius and his influence on the birth and development of international public law.

Back to the future

After Jeroen's Vervliet thorough introduction, professor Niels Blokker took over, to discuss with the group recent developments in international law, including the legal aspects of the recent tensions between the Netherlands and Russia. He also covered Libya and the legal implications of a possible intervention in Syria. At the end of the lecture, participants were very much aware of the presence of legal questions in day-to-day international affairs.