Dr Avril Mcdonald worked as a Researcher and as Head of the Section IHL/ICL for the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in the Netherlands from 1997 until 2007. After which she continued her association with Asser as an Associate Researcher. She was involved in the initiation and development of the Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law and the website of International Humanitarian Law.

Avril had long held an interest in depleted uranium weapons and, along with Dr Jann Klefner and Dr Brigit Toebes, had edited what is perhaps the most detailed review of their legality - Depleted Uranium Weapons and International Law: a precautionary approach.

The book had inspired an article for UNIDIR and Avril had repeatedly spoken at ICBUW events over the years. ICBUW's legal advisor Prof. Manfred Mohr was good friends with Avril and said: "What struck me most with her - apart from being a charming young lady - was that kind of mixture of being a precise lawyer and a highly committed political person, of being cautious and outspoken altogether. And she was always SO FAST - both in talking AND thinking. I will definitively miss her very much."

ICBUW's thoughts are with all Avril ‘s family, friends and colleagues at this sad time.

Attachments

• UNIDIR - Depleted uranium weapons: the next target for disarmament?

  117 Kb - Format pdf
  Avril McDonald - Source: http://www.unidir.org/bdd/fiche-periodique.php?ref_periodique=1020-7287-2008-3-en
  Disarmament efforts have reaped a number of notable successes over the past years. These endeavours have not been completely random, but have generally aimed at putting beyond use and out of circulation weapons that may breach the law of armed confict (LOAC). States moved from banning chemical weapons in 1993 to outlawing blinding lasers in 1995, and then anti-personnel mines in 1997. The latest disarmament campaign has succeeded in prohibiting cluster munitions (for those states that join the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions).
  Which problematic weapons should be next in line for a treaty ban or restriction? Many believe that prime candidates are weapons containing depleted uranium.

See also

• International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons

  New Book on DU and International Law Calls for a Precautionary Approach

  This June sees the long-awaited publication of Depleted Uranium Weapons and International Law: A Precautionary Approach, edited by Avril McDonald, Jann K. Kleffner and Brigit C. A. Toebes.

  29 April 2008 - ICBUW