It is with great sadness that the African Journal of International Criminal Justice notes the passing of distinguished research professor of law, “the father of international criminal law,” M. Cherif Bassiouni, on September 25, 2017. Bassiouni, who was a member of the editorial board of this journal, was highly revered in the international community for his research and contributions to the jurisprudence of international criminal law, for which he received numerous honors, medals, and recognition.
M. Cherif Bassiouni received his LLB from the University of Cairo in 1955, his JD from Indiana University School of Law in 1964, his LLM at John Marshall Law School in International and Maritime Law in 1966, and his SJD from George Washington University in International Criminal law in 1973. He was Emeritus Professor of Law at DePaul University, where he had taught from 1964-2009, and where he was a founding member of the International Human Rights Law Institute, established in 1990. He was a founder of the International Institute of Higher Studies in Criminal Sciences (ISISC) in Siracusa, Italy, where he served as General-Secretary from 1972-1974, Dean from 1974-1988, and then President until his passing.
Bassiouni’s work focused on the fight against international human rights violations, especially in the areas of torture, war crimes, and genocide. In addition to his scholarship, he was appointed to 22 United Nations positions in furtherance of the pursuit of justice for human rights, including positions regarding the drafting of the statute for creation of the International Criminal Court in 1998. Bassiouni’s writings on international criminal law were the premier and, often, only writings on the topic in the period after World War II. Much of his work advocated for an international criminal court, which later became crucial to the passage of the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court.
In addition to his international work, between 1973-2003 he served as consultant to the U.S. Department of State and Department of Justice on projects relating to international traffic of drugs, international control of terrorism, defense of the U.S. hostages in Iran, governance and democracy projects in the Middle East and North Africa, and the future of the Iraqi justice system.
His success as an academic includes authoring 24 books, co-authoring 4 additional books, editing 46 books, testifying before the U.S. Congress 18 times, and authoring 258 articles on International Criminal Law, Comparative Criminal Law, Human Rights, and U.S. Criminal Law journals, published in various law journals and books. His publications have been translated into multiple languages including Arabic, English, French, Italian, and Spanish, and have been cited by the various judicial bodies including the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
He received nine honorary degrees from six countries: Doctor of Law Honoris Causa, University of Salzburg (2013); Doctor of Law Honoris Causa, University of Tirana, Albania (2013); Doctor of Law Honoris Causa, University of Ghent, Belgium (2011); Doctor of Law Honoris Causa, Case Western Reserve University, United States (2010); Doctor of Humane Letters Honoris Causa, Catholic Theological Union, United States (2009); Doctor of Law Honoris Causa, National University of Ireland, Galway (2001); Doctor of Law Honoris Causa, Niagara University, United States (1997); Docteur d’Etat en Droit Honoris Causa, University de Pau, France (1986); and Dottore in Giurisprudenza Honoris Causa, Università di Torino, Italy (1981).
He was awarded eleven medals from seven countries: Order of Duke Branimir, Croatia (2013); Order of Merit of the Republic (Cavaliere di Gran Croce), Italy (2006); Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Commander), France (2006); Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, Germany (2003); Legion d’Honneur (Officier), France (2003); Order of Lincoln, Illinois, United States (2001); Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Austrian Republic (1990); Order of Scientific Merit (First Class), Egypt (1984); Order of Merit of the Republic (Grand’Ufficiale), Italy (1977); Order of Merit of the Republic (Commendatore), Italy (1976); and Order of Military Valor, Egypt (1956).
In addition to having been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999, he received the American Society of International Law Goler T. Butcher Medal (2014); The Stockholm Human Rights Award (2013); Wolfgang Friedmann Memorial Award of Columbia University (2012); Cook County Bar Association Lincoln Award (2012); Dominican University’s Bradford O’Neill Medallion for Social Justice (2011); George Washington University Distinguished Alumni Scholar Award, Washington DC (2010-2011); Washington University School of Law, World Peace Through Law Award (2010); DePaul University Via Sapientiae Award (2009); Hague Prize for International Law (2007); Cesare Beccaria Justice Medal of the International Society for Social Defense (2007); The Medal of the Commission de Derechos Humanos del Estado de Mexico (2006); DePaul University St. Vincent DePaul Society’s Humanitarian Award (2000); International Association of Penal Law - V.V. Pella, Champion of International Criminal Justice Award (1999); John Marshall Law School’s Lifetime Achievement Award (1999); Defender of Democracy Award from Parliamentarians for Global Action (1998); United Nations Association’s Adlai E. Stevenson Award (1993); The Special Award of the Council of Europe (1990); and The Secretary-General of the Council of Europe’s Award (1984).
M. Cherif Bassiouni will be remembered as a champion and advocate of human rights. He was instrumental in helping develop the field of international criminal law as well as the recruitment of vital authorities to further these goals; whenever an issue of international criminal law arose, Bassiouni was always pivotal advocate. He leaves a powerful legacy that will not be forgotten.
We dedicate this special issue on the international crimes trial of former Chadian president, Hissene Habré, in the African Union-Senegal Extraordinary African Chambers honour his memory and contributions, and offer our condolences to his loved ones.
Charles C. Jalloh
Founding Editor and Professor of Law
African Journal of International Criminal Justice