Dear Editor,
Judge Mohamed Shahabuddeen, who passed away on 17th February, 2018, was an illustrious son of the Caribbean. He served with distinction as a Judge of both the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (the Tribunal). Current members of the ICJ (of which I am a member) recall with gratitude his immense contribution to the jurisprudence of the court, particularly by his illuminating Separate and Dissenting Opinions. He was the first Caribbean national to serve as a member of the ICJ.
When I joined the Tribunal in 1998, he had already been serving in that body as a Judge of the Appeals Chamber for two years. I quickly discovered that his views, reflected in his thoughtful and incisive Opinions, were much valued by the entire legal fraternity of the Tribunal.
Judge Shahabuddeen and I served on the Tribunal for ten years, and I place on record my gratitude to him for the fraternal support he gave me during my Presidency of that body.
Judge Mohamed Shahabuddeen was a jurist of whom the entire Caribbean can be justifiably proud.
I offer my sincere condolences to his family and all his friends in the Caribbean.
Yours faithfully,
Patrick Robinson
Judge
International Court of Justice
The Hague