Dear Judges and Advocates of the ICJ,
Welcome to the International Court of Justice at the 2024 BERMUN conference!
In our committee, we will be deliberating over the case Georgia v. Russian Federation on the Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). The Russian Federation, in cooperation with the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, initiated a military invasion of Georgia in August of 2008.
Georgia brought its case before the International Court of Justice, claiming that the Russian Federation is liable for any potential violations of its essential obligations under CERD, including articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. These provisions pertain to various forms of racial discrimination, hate speech, and the right to protection against violence. Georgia accuses the Russian Federation of carrying out ethnic cleansing against Georgian civilians, warranting a clear breach of the CERD. This case and its accusations of ethnic cleansing underline the universal principles of justice and equality, while reinforcing pivotal international legal standards against racial discrimination and human rights.
I am currently an 11th Grader at the Berlin Brandenburg International School. Aside from Model United Nations, I do competitive dance and love spending time with my friends. I initially started MUN in 8th Grade and this will be my seventh conference and second time as a student officer. The first time I was a judge, I was immediately intrigued by the courts and sparked with interest in international law!
I can’t wait to meet all of you in November!
Luise Aschenbrenner
