Matias Thomsen is a Lecturer in Criminal Law and Evidence and a Senior Legal Advisor for the Global Desk of the Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre. Matias’ research interests include international humanitarian law; international criminal law; domestic criminal law, procedure, and sentencing; and international human rights law.
In 2016, Matias was awarded the Tim Hawkins Memorial Scholarship, which provided him with the opportunity to work at the International Criminal Court as a legal assistant to the Special Advisor on War Crimes. This inspired his PhD, which examined the role of judges at the court in facilitating the development of the law. In 2018, Matias began working as a legal consultant for the Diakonia Centre, a non-government organisation that provides responsive legal advice on international humanitarian and human rights law to stakeholders operating in conflict-affected regions around the world. He has worked on missing persons in Lebanon, cross-border humanitarian access in Syria, the legal status of ISIS-affiliated foreign nationals in detention and forcible recruitment by non-armed state groups.
What inspires you about teaching and interacting with students in Law?
Law students tend to be bright, motivated and willing to learn. I am impressed by their ability to juggle multiple commitments and still show a genuine passion for how law governs society, affects individuals and can be an agent for change. I enjoy seeing students develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and am especially inspired by those who seek to use their legal training to make a positive impact on their community and the world.
My role at the University includes working with students in the International Justice Initiative, which is an extra-curricular opportunity that provides students with real-world experience in public interest areas of international law. Witnessing these students put their training into action to help solve the world’s problems is an ongoing source of inspiration.
What do you believe to be the most important skills and attributes that Law graduates must acquire for a contemporary legal career?
Law is fundamentally about language and communication. It provides a framework for dispassionately tackling controversial issues, using objective language to help overcome political polarisation or partisanship. Knowledge of the law is empowering, and our graduates will have refined analytical skills and an ability to engage in rational, well-reasoned advocacy for those issues that are important to them.
How long have you been with the University of Tasmania and what are your career highlights so far?
I’ve been involved with teaching law at the University of Tasmania since 2015. As a graduate of the Law School, an early career highlight was to be awarded the Tim Hawkins Memorial Scholarship, which enabled me to work as a legal assistant to the Special Advisor on war crime at the International Criminal Court in the Hague. This led to an opportunity to do my PhD in international law, and in turn provided research and professional engagement in the field.
On the domestic law side, it has been a privilege to focus my attention on Evidence and Criminal Law. A recent highlight has been the publication of a report I authored for the Sentencing Advisory Council in which we recommended that Tasmania expand its mandatory aggravating sentencing provisions for offences demonstrating prejudice or discrimination against a group identity or attribute. Developing these laws would provide a small but important step towards recognising the unique harms suffered by certain groups within our community and working towards a future where diversity is celebrated and protected.
What is your area of research expertise and why is it important?
My research expertise is in international humanitarian and criminal law. This body of law seeks to regulate armed conflict, provides protection to civilians and opportunities for post-conflict, transitional justice.
Regrettably, conflict is a reality in many parts of the world. While the solution is often political, the law can promote individual rights, limit the methods of warfare and protect civilians. Where these rules are broken, international law can help prevent impunity and provides an objective framework for condemning violations and advocating for the rights of victims. Through justice and accountability mechanisms, international law can facilitate truth-telling and lead to a more just and sustainable peace.
This story first appeared in Law Alumni News produced by the School of Law.