Christopher G. Weeramantry

Christopher Weeramantry "was born in Sri Lanka in 1926 and studied at universities in Colombo and London, earning a higher doctorate in laws (LL.D.) from London University. He became a judge in the Sri Lanka Supreme Court in 1967. In 1972, he moved to Australia to be Professor of Law at Monash University, Melbourne (until 1991). In Australia his writings led to the initiation of the annual Law Week, where numerous events are organised for members of the legal profession to discuss with and explain their work to the public.

"Weeramantry has held Visiting Professorships in many countries. He is chair of the international council of the Institute of Sustainable Development at McGill University in Canada, President of the International Association of Lawyers against Nuclear Arms (IALANA) and Chairman of the International Chief Justices Working Group on Strengthening Judicial Integrity.

"During the 1980s, Weeramantry became prominent in helping to unravel international disputes, notably as chair of the Nauru Commission of Inquiry from 1987-88. The Commission was set up by the government of Nauru to investigate responsibility under international law for rehabilitation of the phosphate lands of Nauru, which had been ruined during international trusteeship.

"Nuclear weapons have always been a particular concern of his. His book Nuclear Weapons and Scientific Responsibility (1987) has been widely translated and is the major text on the legal responsibilities of nuclear scientists.

"Weeramantry was elected to fill the Asian seat on the International Court of Justice in 1990 and was elected by his colleagues as their Vice-President in 1997, while still a first term member of the court. He retired from the court in 2000, having presided over many cases, including the Lockerbie case."


 * Winner of the 2007 Right Livelihood Award
 * International Advisory Board, MIT Program on Human Rights and Justice
 * International Steering Committee, Global Action to Prevent War
 * Council, World Future Council

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