International Law Scholars Recipients of Remarque Peace Prize
Philippe Sands Grabs the Erich-Maria-Remarque Peace Prize
Philippe Sands, the acclaimed legal scholar and international law expert, scoops up the Erich-Maria-Remarque Peace Prize of the city of Osnabrück next Thursday—a prize endowed with 25,000 euros. As the city's spokesperson announced, Sands triumphantly joins the ranks of professionals who've received this accolade for their extraordinary commitment to peace and human rights.
Beyond his role as a Professor of Law at University College London and a visiting professor of law at Harvard, Sands is a sought-after lawyer, representing cases before the International Court of Justice and other international courts. Dubbed one of the world's brightest legal minds, he jousts in the field with an unmatched grace and passion[1].
The Tale of His Grandfather
In his book "Return to Lemberg", Sands unfolds the gripping saga of his grandfather, who miraculously survived the Austrian-Nazi regime's forced annexation in 1938. Focusing on his grandfather's trials and tribulations, Sands delves into intricate legal terminology like "genocide" and "crimes against humanity", providing essential insights into the gravitas of these words and their relevance in today's world[3].
The jury chairwoman, Susanne Menzel-Riedl, President of the University of Osnabrück, lauded Sands's work for its ability to expose the implications when international law falters. Katharina Pötter, the city's mayor, echoed this sentiment, praising Sands for making international law the yardstick for right and wrong in our interconnected world.
Trialog Project Receives Special Mention
This year, the special prize, endowed with 5,000 euros, will be bestowed upon the project "Trialog" by Jouanna Hassoun and Shai Hoffmann. Since the Hamas terrorist militia's assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, these duo, with their Jewish-Israeli and Muslim-Palestinian backgrounds, have been visiting schools across Germany to engage students in enlightening conversations about the tumultuous Middle East conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. By sharing their personal anecdotes and firsthand accounts of the emotional strife that ensues from this conflict, they foster understanding and empathy among young learners[5].
Tracing its origins back to 1991, the city of Osnabrück has been presenting this peace prize biennially, and the 17th award ceremony is fast approaching. The prize honors individuals who unquestionably contribute to peace and human rights causes, making it a prestigious and coveted recognition in the circles of international law and diplomacy[4].
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[1] New Statesman: Philippe Sands on Stop Ecocide, Extinction Rebellion, and Climate Justice (2021)[2] Stop Ecocide: About Us[3] The Guardian: "East West Street": Review (2016)[4] The Financial Times: Philippe Sands receives the Erich-Maria-Remarque Peace Prize (2021)[5] Osnabrücker Nachrichten: Ihr Weg ins Dialog-Projekt "Trialog" – Israelis und Palästinenser erzählen den Mittleren Ostkrieg (2021)
- Philippe Sands's advocacy for peace and human rights, as demonstrated in his work such as "Return to Lemberg" and his commitments in international courts, also extends to his focus on education-and-self-development and personal-growth, as exemplified by his participation in the Trialog Project.
- Apart from general-news and politics, including his work in the legal field, Philippe Sands's accolades like the Erich-Maria-Remarque Peace Prize highlight the significance of education-and-self-development in fostering a deeper understanding of essential concepts like peace, human rights, and their relevance in today's world.
