BIO/3168
L/2873

PHILIPPE KIRSCH (CANADA) ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Philippe Kirsch of Canada was elected today Chairman of the Committee of the Whole of the Diplomatic Conference on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court. Mr. Kirsch has been involved in the elaboration of United Nations legal instruments relating, among others, to terrorism and protection of war victims.

Currently Legal Adviser to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada, Mr. Kirsch has since 1995 been agent for Canada before the International Court of Justice.

Mr. Kirsch was chairman of the following bodies: Ad Hoc Committee for the Suppression of Nuclear Terrorism (1998); Ad Hoc Committee for the Elaboration of a Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997); Drafting Committee, 26th International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies (1995); Ad Hoc Committee for the Elaboration of an International Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel (1993-1994); and Drafting Committee, International Conference on the Protection of War Victims (1993).

He chaired the Committee of the Whole of the International Conference on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (1988), and was President of the International Conference on the Drafting of a Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts of Violence at Airports (1988). He was the head of the Canadian delegation to the Preparatory Commission on the Law of the Sea (1984-1988). In addition, he was chairman of the United Nations Environment Programme Group of Experts on Protection of the Marine Environment against Pollution from Land-Based Sources (1983-1985). In 1982, he chaired the Sixth (Legal) Committee of the General Assembly.

Mr. Kirsch, who joined the Department of External Affairs of Canada in 1972, has held a number of positions in the Department, including Assistant Deputy Minister for Legal, Consular and Passport Affairs, Ottawa (1994-1996); and Director General, Bureau of Legal Affairs, Ottawa (1992-1994). He was Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations (1988-1992) and Deputy Representative to the Security Council (1989-1990).

A member of the Bar of Quebec since 1970, Mr. Kirsch holds an LL.M. degree from the University of Montreal (1972). He is also a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Chairman of the Canadian National Committee on Humanitarian Law and member of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Council on International Law. He also belongs to the American Society of International Law. * *** *
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