OSCE Centre supports course on public international law for Turkmenistan's university students

ASHGABAD, 23 May 2008 - Students at Turkmenistan's Magtymguly State University discussed public international law at an OSCE Centre course that ended in Ashgabad today.

Organized in co-operation with the country's Education Ministry, the one-week course brought together more than 40 second- and third-year students from the university faculties of international law and international relations and diplomacy, as well as a number of professors and lecturers.

Bill Bowring, a professor of international law at the University of London delivered the advanced level course, focusing on the application of public international law concepts and principles to issues such as the recognition of states, the use of force, human rights, humanitarian law and international criminal law.

"It was a great privilege for me to be invited to teach at the University, and to meet such friendly and well-informed students and lecturers. Each session generated a lively debate on the most urgent problems of the contemporary world. I hope to repeat the experience soon," said Bowring.

The course is part of an ongoing OSCE Centre programme that started in October 2007 under which international legal experts and professors are invited to share expertise with national legal professionals and students.