Two Law graduates will work with war crimes prosecutors in The Hague after being awarded $25,000 scholarships.
Gabrielle Gee and Chun Yu have each been awarded the Tim Hawkins Memorial Scholarship, allowing them to work in the Prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC). They'll take up roles as legal assistants to Professor Tim McCormack, Special Advisor on War Crimes to the Prosecutor.
Both completed Arts/Law degrees with Honours, at the same time volunteering for community organisations including the Red Cross.
Gabrielle, from Cuprona in the North West, heads to The Netherlands next month for a 10-month stint. Chun, who grew up in Hobart, will replace her in October.
“The Hague is the world’s capital for peace and justice,” Gabrielle said. “The ICC aims to hold those who commit some of humanity’s worst crimes accountable.”
They’ll work with trial teams examining possible crimes committed during conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine, Libya, Congo and Uganda.
“The ICC is vital for upholding those principles of humanity underlying international humanitarian law and international criminal law, and I find myself drawn to its steadfastness in doing so,” Chun said.
The scholarship is awarded in memory of Commerce/Law graduate Tim Hawkins, who was tragically killed in the Bali bombings of 2002.
For the first time in its history, two recipients were chosen following a COVID-enforced hiatus in 2021-22.
Scholarship committee chair Sir Guy Green said the scholarship, unique to the University of Tasmania, was greatly sought after.
“This is a truly special scholarship, an enduring memorial to a fine young Tasmanian and Law alumnus,” he said.
The Tim Hawkins Memorial Scholarship is open to University of Tasmania Law graduates or undergraduates who have completed a unit in International Law. Applications close in October each year.