International Criminal Law

The "petit seminaire" (small seminary) Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp in the Central African Republic city of Bangassou, where 2,000 Muslims had been living for almost three years, as of February 13, 2020. In May 2017, a column of anti-Balaka Christian militiamen swept through Bangassou, which until then had been relatively untouched by the civil war that had ravaged the rest of the country since 2013, killing at least 72 Muslim civilians and 12 peacekeepers in a matter of days, according to the United Nations. (Photo by CAMILLE LAFFONT/AFP via Getty Images)

At the UN: New Moves to Speak Up for a Crimes Against Humanity Treaty

Amid a new resolution, delegations will need to send a crucial signal that protections for civilians are deepening -- not withering.

Oct. 6, 2022 Richard Dicker and Paloma van Groll

People waiting in line in foreground; spires of a Cambodian temple in background.

The ECCC Begins Winding Down: In Cambodia, a Hybrid Tribunal’s Hybrid Legacy

Constrained by domestic politics and with its final verdict delivered, the ECCC's legacy – like its nature – is a hybrid one.

Oct. 3, 2022 Marija Đorđeska

11 Takeaways from Senate Hearing on Expanding War Crimes Act and a Crimes Against Humanity Statute

Bipartisan hearing with takeaways for Ukraine War, International Criminal Court, war crimes and torture prosecutions and more.

Oct. 3, 2022 Justin Cole

Russian Federation Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey V. Lavrov speaks during the United Nations Security Council meeting at the United Nations Headquarters to discuss the conflict in Ukraine on September 22, 2022 in New York City.

The Case for Creating a Special Tribunal to Prosecute the Crime of Aggression Committed Against Ukraine (Part IV)

Discussing details for an international tribunal for aggression against Ukraine including outreach, victim participation, and more.

Sep. 28, 2022 Ambassador David Scheffer

Smoke rises from a Russian tank destroyed by the Ukrainian forces on the side of a road in Lugansk region on February 26, 2022.

Mobilized to Commit War Crimes?

As Russia mobilizes its troops against Ukraine, States must review the asylum claims of those who desert, surrender, or flee conscription.

Sep. 27, 2022 Tom Dannenbaum

The Case for Creating a Special Tribunal to Prosecute the Crime of Aggression Committed Against Ukraine

Discussing details for an international tribunal for aggression against Ukraine including outreach, victim participation, and more.

Sep. 26, 2022 Ambassador David Scheffer

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remotely speaks on a screen during the United Nations General Assembly. Next to the screen is the United Nations emblem.

The Case for Creating a Special Tribunal to Prosecute the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine (Part III)

Rules of procedure and evidence; how many to prosecute; rights of accused; double jeopardy (non bis in idem); amnesty; immunity; penalties.

Sep. 26, 2022 Jennifer Trahan

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) speaks at a Security Council meeting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He is surrounded by others, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The Case for Creating a Special Tribunal to Prosecute the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine (Part II)

Ця стаття також доступна українською мовою тут. [Editor’s Note: This article is part of a Just Security series, Prosecuting the Crime…

Sep. 23, 2022 Astrid Reisinger Coracini

A woman displays photographs of her family.

In ICC Investigation of 2008 Russia-Georgia War Crimes, Don’t Let Justice Delayed Become Justice Denied

Delivering justice at the ICC for the long-neglected victims of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war requires international community support.

Sep. 23, 2022 Adam Keith and Nika Jeiranashvili

This photo taken on September 16, 2022, shows the tree used to beat children to death in the former Khmer Rouge prison camp at the Choeung Ek killing fields memorial in Phnom Penh. Mementos such as beads and candles hang from the tree and surround the base, and a sign at the base of the tree says, “Killing tree against which executioners beat children.” Cambodia's UN-backed court set up to try Khmer Rouge leaders ends its work on September 22, but with just three convictions after 16 years' work the tribunal has brought only limited solace to survivors of the genocidal regime. (Photo by TANG CHHIN SOTHY/AFP via Getty Images)

On Crimes Against Humanity, Protect the UN Sixth Committee’s Integrity With Action

The process and the International Law Commission risk irrelevance if the well-supported Draft Articles do not progress to the next phase.

Sep. 22, 2022 Leila Nadya Sadat and Akila Radhakrishnan

Wide view of the United Nations General Assembly Hall

The Case for Creating an International Tribunal to Prosecute the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine (Part I)

Launching a new high-level series on an international criminal tribunal for Putin’s aggression against Ukraine and the role of the United Nations General Assembly.

Sep. 20, 2022 Oona A. Hathaway

Muslim Uyghurs hold pictures of their relatives detained in China during a press conference in Istanbul, on May 10, 2022. The signs behind them say "Close the Chinese Concentration Camps" and "Rescue Our Families From Camps." Turkey's Uyghur community urged UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet to probe so-called "re-education camps" during a long-delayed visit to China that month, including to Xingjiang, where Western lawmakers have accused Beijing of genocide and crimes against humanity. Bachelet subsequently released her report on Aug. 31. (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

A UN Report Implicates the Chinese Government in Crimes Against Humanity. What Comes Next?

Governments and UN bodies must act swiftly to hold the Chinese government accountable and protect those who are speaking out.

Sep. 8, 2022 Sophie Richardson