During this, the Faculty of Law’s twelfth year of partnership with the United Nations, Common Law students completed preparation for 13 studies cited in the Repertory of the Practice of the United Nations Organs, a legal publication containing analytical studies of decisions of the principal organs of the United Nations under each of the articles of the UN charter.
In his report to the 77th session of the UN General Assembly (A/77/303), the UN’s Secretary-General commended the cooperation between the United Nations and the Faculty of Law on preparing the Repertory studies. The Secretary-General’s report states that in 2022, “well-established cooperation with the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa continued for the twelfth consecutive year”. The report highlights that “owing to the continued assistance of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa, research and drafting were completed in relation to 13 studies, as follows: studies on Articles 2 (4) and (7) for volume I; studies on Articles 12 and 14 for volume II; studies on Articles 27, 34, 35, 39, 41, 50, 52 and 53 for volume III, and a study on Article 96 for volume VI.”
Over the past 12 years, the Faculty of Law has collaborated on 81 studies, in both English and French, for the Repertory. In the spring of 2022, under the supervision of adjunct professor Saeid Mirzaei Yengejeh, 13 graduate and JD students prepared 13 studies on the articles cited above, covering the period from 2015 to 2020.
These studies look at several topics on the UN agenda, including: the prohibition of use (or threat of use) of force under the UN Charter; the evolution of non-intervention principle since the inception of the United Nations, including the implementation of right to protect (R2P); special emergency sessions of the General Assembly under the Uniting for Peace Resolution (377-1950); powers of the General Assembly in respect of maintenance of peace and security; voting procedures and investigative powers of the Security Council; rights of UN members and non-member states to bring to the attention of Council any dispute or situation which may threaten international peace and security; powers of the Security Council to determine the existence of threat to peace, breach of peace, or act of aggression, and to impose sanctions against states after determination; rights of affected states because of UN sanctions to consult the Security Council; contribution of regional arrangements and agencies to the maintenance of peace and security; and advisory opinions requested from the International Court of Justice during the period under review.
Congratulations to the following students, whose names have been published on the United Nations website in appreciation of their contributions to the UN publication: Renée Otoko; Josh Morency; Wafa Khan; Patricia Horn Zelmanovitz; Anneka Oh; Natasha Dood-Persaud Di Lorenzo; Sophia Howell; Christiana Sagay; Apoorva Sharma; Izaak Kaufman; Nouha Chaouati; Lena Raxter.
Students can get involved in this partnership by enrolling in the “Seminar on Documenting UN Practice” (CML 4108 and DCL 6121). These courses will be taught for a 13th consecutive year in a combined January-Winter session in 2023. Registration for the seminar is now open for graduate and upper-year students, and students must submit their applications and CVs to Professor Saeid Mirzaei Yengejeh.
Here are some testimonials from the students who contributed to the research project:
Nouha Chaouati
“I had the opportunity to conduct a study on Article 41 of the United Nations Charter related to measures not involving the use of armed forces.
This course improved my skills in various ways through the rigorous research and the acquisition of a deeper knowledge about practices of different organs of the United Nations Organization (in particular the Security Council and the General Assembly).
I’m immensely grateful and thankful to Professor Saeid Mirzaei Yengejeh for his guidance and incredible assistance during this unique learning experience.”
Anneka Oh
“Professor Saeid’s Documenting UN Practice course gave me a practical and unique experience in international law and was a welcome complement to the option in international law that I took as part of my JD at uOttawa. The opportunity to prepare a study on Article 34 of the UN Charter for the Repertory helped me develop specific expertise in the interpretation and application of the provision, and enriched my knowledge of the UN’s role in investigating international disputes and conflicts. An added bonus was the support and expertise of Professor Saeid, who having had a lengthy career in the UN, was extremely knowledgeable in answering all my questions and guided me through the process of preparing the study from start to finish.”
Christiana Essie Sagay
"As a PhD student whose research focuses on transnational mobility and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, it was an extremely exhilarating experience for me to work on the interpretation and application of Article 14 of the United Nations Charter. Working on this article of the Charter allowed me to parse out in greater depth the ways that the powers of the general assembly have been used in the recommendation of peaceful measures in migration, but also for questions such as a global pandemic like COVID-19.
"With the help of Professor Yengejeh, I was able to push the envelope and conduct far-reaching research on the work of the GA on these issues, which have, in turn, strengthened my understanding and commitment to addressing the many challenges of transnational mobility issues while simultaneously contributing to the Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs."
Wafa Khan
"Documenting UN Practice was the course I had highly anticipated taking the moment I entered law school. I must say it exceeded my expectations. This collaborative effort pushed me outside of my comfort zone when it came to legal research, writing, and continuous editing of my draft study on Article 50 of the UN Charter relating to remediation of special economic problems arising as result of imposition of sanctions by the United Nations Security Council against recalcitrant states.
"Under Professor Yengejeh’s direct supervision, I received meaningful advice and mentorship to create a publication I was proud to submit. Professor Yengejeh’s commitment to seeing his students excel and truly grasp the importance of the United Nations and their work is unparalleled. I cannot say enough positive things about this course and the unique experience it provides one as a law student."
Natasha Dood-Persaud Di Lorenzo
"I am grateful to have been a part of the 2022 Winter term Documenting UN Practice seminar. It is indeed an honour to have been recognized by UN Secretary-General for the research conducted. Preparing a study for the Repertory of Practice of United Nations Organs was a great learning experience. The research mandate provided a unique insight into UN operations and actions, and put various skills into practice, such as analytical thinking and legal writing. A very special thank you to Professor Saeid Mirzaei Yengejeh for his guidance and mentorship throughout the entire project!"