Marcia Franklin talks with Judge Joan E. Donoghue of the International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court. Donoghue is the first female American judge to sit on the court, which is in The Hague, Netherlands, and is only the third female judge to be seated in that
court’s history.
She discusses the role of the court, which hears disputes between nation-states, her experience on the court, and the importance of international law. The court’s opinions are sometimes controversial, and since 1986, the United States has only recognized its jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis. Franklin also discusses that situation with Judge Donoghue.
Before being elected to her post in 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council, Judge Donoghue had a distinguished career in the U.S. Department of State. Among her positions, she served as Principal Deputy Legal Adviser, Deputy Legal Adviser, Assistant Legal Adviser for Economic and Business Affairs and Assistant Legal Adviser for Oceans, Environment and Science.
Originally Aired: 07/19/2013