International Courts

× Clear Filters
773 Articles
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gestures while walking away from the International Criminal Court building in The Hague during his first visit to the Netherlands on May 4, 2023.

Assessing the ICC’s Impact in Ukraine

An analysis of the ICC’s warrants against Putin and Lvova-Belova, exploring their real impact on diplomacy, deterrence, and justice in Ukraine.
3D rendering of the scales of justice and a wooden gavel on a desk (via Getty Images).

International Criminal Court Intervention in Civil Wars: A Tradeoff Between Atrocity Prevention and Peace

Although ICC intervention does appear to deter atrocities, on balance, its involvement in ongoing civil wars fails to facilitate peaceful settlement in most cases.
Close-up of a bronze Lady Justice statue holding balanced scales in front of a blurred modern office background, symbolizing fairness and the law.

International Human Rights and Criminal Courts and the End of War

The relationship between international courts and States shapes how they provide accountability, build peace, and respond to backlash.

The UN Cybercrime Convention – A Way to Bring Russia to (the International Court of) Justice?

The new U.N. Cybercrime Convention may create new avenues to hold Russia - and all states parties - accountable at the International Court of Justice.
U.N. Security Council members seated in a circular chamber raise their hands to vote unanimously for Resolution 808 establishing a war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, 22 February 1993.

Pursuing Truth, Not Peace: International Courts’ Limited Ability to Help End Wars

International courts rarely end wars, but when designed humbly, creatively, and fairly, they can help parties choose law over war—turning justice into a path toward peace.
General view taken at the start of the first hearing at the International Court of Justice in which Myanmar is accused of committing genocide against the country's Muslim minority, the Rohingya, in the Hague on January 12, 2026. The Gambia filed the genocide case in cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in 2019. Myanmar's military deliberately targeted the Rohingya minority in a bid to destroy the community, Gambia's Justice Minister Dawda Jallow told the International Court of Justice Monday at the start of a genocide hearing. (Photo by Phil Nijhuis / ANP / AFP via Getty Images)

Proving Genocide: The Burden of Proof

The Gambia has not shifted the burden of proof in the Gambia v. Myanmar ICJ case; rather, Myanmar faces a tactical choice in its response.
International criminal court sign and building.

Judging War: The Legitimacy of International Courts in Armed Conflicts

This article examines how the ICJ and ICC navigate legitimacy challenges in armed conflicts, testing their authority, fairness, and impact on global peace and justice.
An image of the International Court of Justice chambers.

Symposium Introduction: Is There a Role for International Courts in Ending Wars?

Judicial involvement in ongoing armed conflicts should be examined from multiple vantage points: courts, victims, parties to conflict, and broader goals of peace and security.

Head of State Immunity and Maduro on Trial

Why did Maduro tell the judge he's still president? One reason: under international law, one country's sitting head of state can’t be prosecuted in another country’s courts.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (L) shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) during the Great Heritage - Common Future Forum, a Russian-Belarusian meeting, dedicated to the anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad on April 29, 2025 in Volgograd, Russia. Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko are having a joint visit to Volgograd, former Stalingrad, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images)

Memorandum for Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression Committed Against Ukraine

James Goldston and Esti Tambay present their organization's work, a Memorandum supporting efforts to hold officials accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) members arrive to issue first Advisory Opinion (AO) on States' legal obligations to address climate change, in The Hague on July 23, 2025. The top UN court on July 23, 2025 described climate change as an "urgent and existential threat", as it handed down a landmark ruling on the legal obligations of countries to prevent it. (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)

Climate-Vulnerable States Vindicated in the Hague: A First Look at the International Court of Justice’s Climate Advisory Opinion

With this unanimous opinion, the ICJ has taken a clear stand in favor of a coherent and equitable international legal response to climate change.
Vladimir Putin speaks on screen in front of an audience at the BRICs summit.

There is No Immunity for the International Criminal Court to Respect

The International Criminal Court (ICC)’s caselaw on immunity is entirely consistent with international law.
1-12 of 773 items

DON'T MISS A THING. Stay up to date with Just Security curated newsletters: