Queen's Law in Cambodia: An Intern's Story

Kathryn Aubrey-Hovarth, Law '08, at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia Office in the summer of 2008. Click to Enlarge Photo

While many Queen's Law graduates make the trek to Ottawa or Toronto after graduation, Kathryn Aubrey-Horvath, Law '08, flew half-way around the world to begin her legal career.

Kathryn spent the summer in Cambodia, working as an intern in the Office of the Co-Prosecutors, one of the main branches of United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials (UNAKRT) project.  The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) tribunal, set up by the UN and the Royal Government of Cambodia, is dedicated to the prosecution of senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge, the regime that ruled the country from 1975-79.

Kathryn participated in truth and reconciliation forums and saw the personal impact the regime had on Cambodian survivors.

"The importance of what the Court is doing for this country, and for the interest of justice globally, cannot be understated," she said.

Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge are believed to be responsible for between 1.4 and 2.2 million deaths in a country of only 7 million.  Cambodia still has many visible reminders of the Khmer Rouge's reign, from the "Killing Fields" of Choeung Ek to the former school Tuol Sleng, where political prisoners were tortured and killed.

The ECCC is a unique body in that each position, including Prosecutor, is "twinned," meaning a UN appointee works closely alongside a Cambodian counterpart.  Kathryn had the opportunity to work with other international lawyers, researchers and interns, and also Cambodians. 

"The cases were in the pre-trial stage during my placement," said Kathryn, "so not only did I get to draft submissions which may shape the course of the charges against the accused, but I also was given a crash course in highly technical civil law applications, such as the laws governing evidence admissibility." 

Kathryn credits her time at Queen's with preparing her for her work at the court, in particular the International Law Spring Program, now known as the Global Law Programs, held at Herstmonceux Castle in the U.K.

"There could be no better training for an internship in international law than that which I received at the Castle in the Public International Law program," said Kathryn.  "This phenomenal Queen's experience not only provided me with the academic tools to serve in such a position, but also exposed me to the teachers with ‘day jobs' in international law who would serve as invaluable resources and connections."

Kathryn's experience was made possible with support from the Dean's Excellence Fund.  The fund provides monetary assistance to Queen's Law students who succeed in securing summer internships at not-for-profit and public-interest agencies in Canada and abroad.  Kathryn was an exceptional case, as she received funding shortly after her graduation.

"I was delighted with the money, but even more warmed by the sentiment behind it," Kathryn said, "knowing that I was supported and encouraged by my alma mater, and that I was still considered part of the Queen's Law family even after I had moved on to the next stage."

Kathryn is presently articling with Blake, Cassels and Graydon LLP in Ottawa, but is still inspired by her recent international experience.

"I left Cambodia with a renewed passion for the law, a strengthened confidence in my abilities, and memories that will undoubtedly guide my career path for decades to come."

Kathryn was interviewed about her internship on Mike Duffy Live on October 22, 2008.  Watch the clip, "Cambodian Genocide," at http://watch.ctv.ca/news/mike-duffy-live/wednesday-oct-22/#clip105176 on the CTV (Ottawa) website.

Kathryn will be returning to Queen's Law to participate in the Internship Information Session being held in Macdonald Hall room 202 on November 17, 2008 at 1:00p.m.  Queen's Law students are encouraged to attend this session to learn more about the Faculty's internship programs.