Who are the academics behind the ICC briefing?

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The academics behind the ICC briefing were identified as Assoc Prof Shamrahayu Ab Aziz, Fareed Mohd Hassan, Prof Datuk Rahmat Mohamad, and Hisham Hanapi.

A group of student activists organised a public forum to address confusion surrounding the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), following Malaysia's withdrawal from the treaty. This forum was initiated after an alleged executive summary of a briefing by four academics to the Conference of Rulers was leaked, which they believe contributed to the government's decision. Two of these academics were invited to participate in the forum as panelists to clarify the events and address public confusion regarding the statute.
Academics Involved in the Briefing

The briefing paper presented to the Conference of Rulers was drafted by four academics. Among them were Assoc Prof Shamrahayu Ab Aziz, a law lecturer from the International Islamic University of Malaysia, and Fareed Mohd Hassan, a law lecturer from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). These two academics were extended an invitation to serve as panelists at the public forum organised by the student activists.
Other Contributing Academics

The other two academics who contributed to the briefing were Prof Datuk Rahmat Mohamad, who holds the position of deputy vice-chancellor and dean of the Faculty of Law at Universiti Teknologi Mara, and Hisham Hanapi, also a law lecturer at USIM. Invitations were also sent to them to participate in the forum. While Attorney General Tommy Thomas confirmed his attendance as a panelist, the response from Prof Datuk Rahmat Mohamad and Hisham Hanapi regarding their participation was still pending at the time of the announcement.
Content of the Leaked Document

The leaked document from the briefing raised concerns among the Malay rulers. It warned that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in his capacity as the supreme commander of the nation's armed forces, could potentially face prosecution by the ICC. This particular warning was cited as a key point of contention that fueled public fear and confusion regarding Malaysia's adherence to international law and its sovereignty.
Context of Government Withdrawal

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had previously stated that the government's decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute was influenced by political pressure. Opponents of the treaty had reportedly spread unnecessary fear and confusion among the public, which ultimately compelled the government to reconsider its position. The student activists aim for the forum to provide a platform for these academics and the Attorney General to openly discuss the proceedings of the meeting with the Conference of Rulers.

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Who are the academics behind the ICC briefing?

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