Iwasawa to Receive Prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award; Two Other Judges to Be Conferred Honorary Doctorates
Bhubaneswar, November 12: President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Judge Yuji Iwasawa, along with two other distinguished judges of the world’s highest judicial body, Judge Leonardo Nemer Caldeira Brant and Judge Bogdan-Lucian Aurescu, has arrived in Odisha on a visit to KIIT and KISS.
At a special ceremony organised by KISS tomorrow, Judge Iwasawa will be conferred the prestigious KISS Humanitarian Award. The two other distinguished judges will be awarded honorary doctorates in recognition of their eminence and contributions.
The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Established in 1945, it is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. Its primary responsibility is to settle legal disputes between sovereign states in accordance with international law. It also provides advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN organs and agencies. The ICJ plays a significant role in promoting international peace, justice, the rule of law and cooperation among nations.
The Court adjudicates disputes relating to territorial boundaries, maritime rights, international treaties and the interpretation of international law. By providing a judicial mechanism for resolving disputes and tensions between nations, it contributes to the peaceful settlement of international conflicts. It also helps clarify the legal obligations of states and promotes respect for international law and treaties.
It may be noted that three other distinguished judges of the ICJ have previously visited KIIT and KISS. They include Justice Dr Dalveer Bhandari of India, Justice Dr Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf of Somalia and Justice Antonio Augusto Cançado Trindade of Brazil. With the visit of the present delegation, six distinguished judges of the International Court of Justice will have visited KIIT and KISS, marking a significant milestone in the institutions’ international engagement.
The ICJ comprises 15 judges, each elected for a nine-year term, with the possibility of re-election. Elections are held every three years for five positions. Candidates are nominated through the national groups designated by participating countries under the framework of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). They are subsequently elected independently by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.
India’s Justice Dr Dalveer Bhandari was first elected to the ICJ in 2012 and was re-elected in 2018 for a second term. His continued presence on the Court reflects India’s contribution to international jurisprudence and the global judicial system.
The visit of ICJ judges to an educational institution is undoubtedly a matter of great honour and distinction. The visit assumes special significance as it marks the first occasion on which a sitting President of the International Court of Justice, Judge Yuji Iwasawa, has visited KIIT and KISS in Odisha. The presence of the ICJ President, accompanied by two other eminent judges, reflects the growing international stature of KIIT and KISS, as well as their engagement with global institutions in the fields of education, law, and humanitarian service.
