Summary records of the first part of the fifty-seventh session

The ACTING CHAIRPERSON declared open the fifty-seventh session of the International Law Commission. She began by informing the Commission of the death at the end of 2004 of Robert Rosenstock. Mr. Rosenstock had served the Commission with distinction for more than 10 years, from 1992 to 2003, as a member, chairperson and special rapporteur. He had taken a keen interest and actively participated in every aspect of the Commission’s work, particularly the preparation of the draft articles on State responsibility, the draft statute for an international criminal court and, of course, the draft articles on the law of the non-navigational uses of international watercourses, the topic for which he had served as Special Rapporteur. He had never hesitated to express his views on the broad range of issues dealt with by the Commission, although that had not stopped him from being genuinely interested in and respectful of his colleagues’ views. In his work he had made a lasting contribution to the codification and progressive development of international law, which had been so important to him. Mr. Rosenstock had been a man of character, substance and high standards. His lively contributions, sense of humour and friendship would be missed by all members of the Commission. At its first meeting during the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly, on 4 October 2004, the Sixth Committee of the Assembly had paid a tribute to Mr. Rosenstock, who had been his country’s representative to that body for many years. On behalf of the Commission, the Chairperson of the fifty-sixth session had sent a message of condolence to Mr. Rosenstock’s family.

Related Subject(s): International Law and Justice