YU -AlKhobar

Dr. Ghuna Bdiwi

Assistant Professor of Law

Biography:

Dr. Ghuna Bdiwi, is a legal professional with expertise across both Canadian and Middle Eastern jurisdictions, and demonstrates a profound understanding of common law, civil law, and international law. She holds a PhD, an L.L.M, and a Master's in Common Law from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University - Toronto, Canada. Additionally, she earned a master’s in international banking and finance from Université Montesquieu Bordeaux IV.

Driven by curiosity and passion for research, Dr. Bdiwi has delved into various legal disciplines, ranging from corporate social responsibility to the fundamental principles of international law. She is deeply engaged in unraveling the complexities of legal theory, criminal law, and international law, seeking to contribute to the advancement of legal scholarship and practice.

Throughout her career, she has garnered widespread recognition for her outstanding contributions. She has been awarded the 2015’ John Peters Humphrey Fellowship in International Law from the Canadian Council on International Law. She also received a meaningful Fellowship from the Nathanson Center on Transnational Human Rights, Crime, and Security at Osgoode Hall Law School.

Most recently, Dr. Bdiwi completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa, a transformative experience characterized by intellectual growth and reflection. These diverse experiences have not only shaped her professional trajectory but have also reinforced her resolve to advocate tirelessly for justice and human dignity in all spheres of her work.

Publications:

  1. Ghuna Bdiwi, “Should We Call for Criminal Accountability During Ongoing Conflicts?”, Journal of International Criminal Justice4 (2023): 719-734.
  2. Ghuna Bdiwi, “After Syria: is R2P still possible?” Harmoon Center for Contemporary Studies (November 2023).
  3. Ghuna Bdiwi, “Forced Displacement as a Crime Against Humanity: Can the Rohingya Criminal Case at the ICC Bring Any Justice to the Syrian Refugees,” in James C. Simon, Serious International Crimes, Human Rights and Forced Migration (NY: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2022). https://www.routledge.com/Serious-International-Crimes-Human-Rights-and-Forced-Migration/Simeon/p/book/9780367556235
  4. Ghuna Bdiwi, “Resorting to the International Court of Justice to Hold the Syrian Government Accountable for Violating Its Obligations Under the Nations United Convention Against Torture,” (April 2022) Policy Paper, Hikama Journal of Public Administration and Public Policy, at 107. (published in Arabic and English). https://hikama.dohainstitute.org/ar/issue04/Pages/hikama04-2022-issue.pdf
  5. Ghuna Bdiwi, “Thickening Autocracy in Non-Democratic State: Changing Demographics in Syria to Maintain Authority” (2022) 36 Special Issue: Authoritarianism in the Islamic World, Arab Law Quarterly – Brill Publishers.
  6. Ghuna Bdiwi, “The R2P Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Analyzing Canada’s Response to the Syrian Conflict: Accountability for Responsibility” (2019) 1 The Canadian Journal on the Responsibility to Protect at 29.

Other Refereed Publications (Selected Contributions)

Analyses – Op-Ed

  1. Ghuna Bdiwi, “Chasing Justice”(November 2019) 3 PKI Global Justice Journal 79, Queen’s Law University, online: <https://globaljustice.queenslaw.ca/news/chasing-justice?fbclid=IwAR11Vyf7ecGSh0GURVUDiYk23RtM_34s6p4W8Wvcv7VouWIk5nLatrCdstE>.
  2. Ghuna Bdiwi, “How Much Can We Count on International Economic and Legal Measures to Bring the Syrian Conflict to an End? Reflections from the Caesar Act and Trials in Absentia” (June 2020) Quid Justitiae, online: <https://www.quidjustitiae.ca/fr/node/1689?fbclid=IwAR22fiWocBomQIRyukiAzBpqh4X9x0Dtmyc1ol5pKG_B8LvyFARU435aKGo>.
  3. Ghuna Bdiwi, “Conflict in Syria: Is There Any Hope for Justice for Victims of War?” (April 2020) Tahrir Institute For Middle Eastern Policy (published in Arabic).
  4. “Attempting Justice within Conflict: How Has Syria Influenced the Contemporary Conceptions of Transitional Justice?” (November 2019) Tahrir Institute for Middle Eastern Policy, online: <https://timep.org/commentary/analysis/attempting-justice-within-conflict-how-has-syria-influenced-the-contemporary-conceptions-of-transitional-justice/?fbclid=IwAR0z017CeYg6Wzdi7Ut4DfbRYN9W1veB6NQKtnaJQgAlimOJPLYFGtmy84o>.
  5. Ghuna Bdiwi, “ICC Assembly of States Parties Symposium: Between the 18th ICC ASP and the 71st Anniversary of the UDHR … Can Hope Rise Again?” (December 2019) INTLAWGRRLS, online: <https://ilg2.org/2019/12/05/icc-assembly-of-states-parties-symposium-between-the-18th-icc-asp-and-the-71st-anniversary-of-the-udhr-can-hope-rise-again/?fbclid=IwAR2ObD0enlfI5dnpCO_qE4JdAzzOmyT2486nFTjWbs_hMg-3932IoK6rnCU>.
  6. Ghuna Bdiwi, “East of the Euphrates, the Damascus Gate to Evade the ‘Caesar’ Sanctions ... Where Is the Truth?” (June 2020) Rozana News, (opinion – published in Arabic).

Teaching:

2014- 2020 Teaching team at York University, Toronto – Canada

Awards:

  1. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) - Connection Grants. Participant, University of Ottawa, (2022-2023).
  2. York University Graduate Scholarship, York University (2013-2020).
  3. William z. Estey Teaching Fellowship in Law, York University (2020).
  4. Harley D. Hallett Graduate Scholarship, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University (2014, 2015 & 2020).
  5. William z. Estey Teaching Fellowship in Legal Research & Writing, York University (2017).
  6. William z. Estey Teaching Fellowship in Law, York University (2016).
  7. Centre for Refugees Studies, Graduate Research Fellow, York University (2017).
  8. John Peters Humphrey Fellowship Award in International Human Rights or International Organization, The Canadian Council on International Law, Graduate Fellow – Ottawa (2016).
  9. Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crimes & Security, York University (2015).
  10. Canadian Centre for Responsibility to Protect, University of Toronto

Services:

  1. Team Lead, Refugee Sponsorship Team | Osgoode Hall Law School, York University.
  2. Conference Organizing Committee | Toronto Group Conference.
  3. Faculty Recruitment Committee | Osgoode Hall Law School, York University.
  4. Catalyst Fellowship Selection Committee| Osgoode Hall Law School, York University.
  5. Conference Organizing Committee | Osgoode Hall Law School Graduate Conference.
  6. Vice President, Graduate Student Caucus | Centre for Refugee Studies, York University.
  7. Treasurer, Graduate Law Students Association (GLSA) | York University.
  8. GLSA Representative | Osgoode Hall Law School Graduate Conference.

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