The United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law is a free online international law research and training tool. It was created and is maintained by the Codification Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs as a part of its mandate under the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law.
Background The United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law was established in 2008General Assembly resolution 62/62 under the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International LawGeneral Assembly resolution 52/152 as a tool for promoting knowledge of international law.
Faculty Over 240 international law experts from different regions, legal systems and sectors of the legal profession have recorded lectures for the Lecture Series, prepared introductory notes for the Historic Archives and contributed their scholarly writings to the Research Library.
Notable faculty members as of 1 July 2016:
Abi-Saab, Georges Abraham, Ronny Al-Khasawneh, Awn S. Annan, Kofi A. Bassiouni, M. Cherif Bennouna, Mohamed Brilmayer, Lea Buergenthal, Thomas Cançado Trindade, Antônio Augusto Cassese, Antonio Caron, David Charlesworth, Hilary Corell, Hans Couvreur, Philippe Crane, David M. Crawford, James Donoghue, Joan E. Dugard, John Ferencz, Benjamin B. Gaillard, Emmanuel Gaja, Giorgio Goldstone, Richard Goodwin-Gill, Guy S. Greenwood, Christopher Heyns, Christof Higgins, Rosalyn Hossain, Kamal Jallow, Hassan Bubacar Kälin, Walter Keith, Kenneth Kingsbury, Benedict Klabbers, Jan Koh, Harold Hongju Koh, Tommy Lacarte Muró, Julio Lamy, Pascal Lauterpacht, Elihu Mautner, Menachem Mayr-Harting, Thomas McDougal, Myres S. McWhinney, Edward Meron, Theodor Michel, Nicolas Momtaz, Djamchid Odio Benito, Elizabeth Oñate Laborde, Santiago Owada, Hisashi Palmer, Geoffrey Paulsson, Jan Pellet, Alain Perera, Rohan A. Pocar, Fausto Rodley, Nigel Robinson, Patrick Rozakis, Christos Sarooshi, Dan Schabas, William A. Scharf, Michael Schwebel, Stephen M. Sepúlveda Amor, Bernardo Shaw, Malcolm Shi, Jiuyong Simma, Bruno Simpson, Gerry Song, Sang Hyun Tladi, Dire Tomka, Peter Tomuschat, Christian Tuerk, Helmut Urquhart, Brian van Boven, Theo van den Berg, Albert Jan van Zyl, Paul Vasciannie, Stephen C. Vincent, Robin Wedgwood, Ruth Wiessner, Siegfried Wilmshurst, Elizabeth Wolfrum, Rüdiger Wood, Michael Woolcott, Peter Xue, Hanqin Yusuf, Abdulqawi A.
Description and contents The Audiovisual Library is divided into three sections: the Historic Archives, the Lecture Series and the Research Library. While the Library's main language is English, many lectures are in other languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) and all entries in the Historic Archives are translated into the six official languages of the United Nations.
Historic archives The Historic Archives provides detailed information on the negotiation process and significance of major international legal instruments. Each entry is accompanied by an introductory note prepared by an internationally recognized legal expert, a summary of the instrument's procedural history that led to its adoption and a list of all relevant preparatory documents. In some cases, audiovisual materials, including film footage, audio recordings and photos, of the negotiationsE.g. the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Genocide Convention and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea are also available. The Historic Archives covers the following overarching subject areas:
Criminal Law Decolonization Diplomatic and Consular Relations Disarmament Education, Science and Culture Environmental law Health Human Rights International Economic Law International Humanitarian Law International Organizations Law of International Relations Law of Outer Space Law of the Sea Law of Treaties Peace and Security Refugees and Stateless Persons Succession of States
Lecture series The Lecture series contains lectures recorded by members of the international legal community. Individuals who have participated in the Lecture Series include scholars, judges of international and regional judicial bodies, senior officials of international and regional organizations, and other international law practitioners. The themes covered by the Series are:
Antarctica Arctic Arms Control and Disarmament Boundary Delimitation Courts and Tribunals Criminal Law and Procedure Cultural Heritage Development Diplomatic and Consular Relations Diplomatic Protection Disaster Prevention and Relief Environmental Law Health and Science Human Rights Human Security International Civil Aviation International Economic Law International Labour Law International Law International Migration Law International Organizations International Watercourses Law of Armed Conflict Law of Outer Space Law of the Sea Law of Treaties Peace and Security Peaceful Settlement of Disputes Regional Organizations Rule of Law, Democracy and Good Governance Specialized Agencies and Related Organizations States United Nations
Research Library The Research Library consists of an extensive online catalog of international law materials. The Library provides links to online collections of treaties, jurisprudence of courts and tribunals, official publications and documents of the United Nations and related international organizations, scholarly writings and other research materials including international law journals and yearbooks, as well as other training materials.
References
External links United Nations Audiovisual Library of International Law United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law Codification Division of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme United Nations Regional Courses in International Law United Nations International Law Fellowship Programme United Nations Regional Courses in International Law /UNlegalpublications/ United Nations Legal Publications]