Iraq UN Ambassador to Teach in 2007-08
Indiana Law students are now learning about transitional justice in Iraq
and the trial of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from a principal drafter
of Iraq's interim constitution.
Ambassador Feisal Amin Istrabadi, a 1988 alumnus, joins us this year as a visiting professor. As Deputy Permanent Representative of Iraq to the United Nations with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary—and in many other capacities—Istrabadi has been instrumental in developing a sovereign Iraqi government.
"Ambassador Istrabadi brings a unique perspective on issues of justice in transitional and post-conflict societies," said Indiana Law's Dean Lauren Robel. "His experiences will strengthen and broaden our Center on Constitutional Democracy in Plural Societies, which focuses on rule of law and constitutional issues in fragile states. We are delighted to welcome him back to his alma mater."
His course, Transitional Justice in Iraq (B540), Iraq will be used as a case-study, in that it is a recent (and famous or notorious) example of post-conflict justice. IStrabadi also encourages his students to study and raise the experiences of countries such as the Former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Chile.
During his stay, Istrabadi is also working with the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Center for the Study of Global Change.
Fast Facts on Istrabadi
- Istrabadi spent 33 years in exile.
- In 2003, he returned to Iraq to represent Dr. Adnan Pachachi, former foreign minister of Iraq and head of the Iraqi Independent Democrats.
- He was among the first ambassadors appointed after the fall of the previous Iraqi regime.
- He earned his LLM, with honors, from Northwestern University, specializing in international human rights law.
- Istrabadi is an international media star. He is a frequent analyst for outlets such as CNN and CNN International, MSNBC, the BBC, and Australian Broadcasting, and has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Washington Post.
- He's also a published scholar. Harvard International Review recently published "Rebuilding a Nation: Myths, Realities, and Solutions in Iraq."