War Crimes Seminar Series

A series of interesting talks on war crimes (broadly conceived) and war.

Watch the recordings on our YouTube playlist

Human Rights and Peace Security Challenges of Today

18 January 2023 – The War Crimes Research Group was honoured to host United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Ilze Brands Kehris, who discussed the difficulties of international diplomacy, shared insights and anecdotes from a career working towards the preservation of human rights, and presented her vision for the future of the UN.

Humanitarian journalism and the representation of survivors of Bosnia and Herzegovinia's mass violence

27 April 2021 - Tiania Stevens' webinar focuses on the testimonies of Bosnian Muslim survivors of concentration camps and the question of how journalists and journalism can engage ethically and empathetically with survivors’ stories.

Watch the recording here

Researching Military identities and crimes against humanity in an Argentine prison

1 April 2021 - In this seminar, Dr Eleonora Natale presents her research into military identities and crimes against humanity in post-authoritarian Argentina. The paper explores the subjectivity of former military officers who are imprisoned, prosecuted and convicted for crimes against humanity in Argentina.

International Affairs Blog available here

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers: Mandate and cases

29 March 2021 - Eleni Chaitidou introduces the mandate and cases of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. The EU and Kosovo set them up following a report to the Council of the Europe Parliamentary Assembly on the inhuman treatment of people and illicit trafficking of human organs in Kosovo.

Human shields: A history of people in the line of fire

22 March 2021- Professor Neve Gordon and Dr Nicola Perugini outline the issues explored in their recently published book Human Shields: A History of People in the Line of Fire and, in particular, the use of human shields in crucial historical and contemporary moments across the globe.

Watch the recording here

Recent developments before the International Criminal Court (ICC)

2 March 2021 - In this WCRG seminar, Dr Fabricio Guariglia discusses recent developments before the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC investigates and tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes in breach of the Geneva Conventions: Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and the Crime of Aggression.

Forging a convention for crimes against humanity

22 February 2021 - Professor Leila Nadya Sadat let’s us in on the progress of creating the Draft Articles of the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity and how that could eventually lead to a Convention since the draft is now pending before the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee.

Book available here

Existing legal limits to security council veto power in the face of atrocity crimes

15 February 2021- Professor Jennifer Trahan's discussion focuses on the Existing Legal Limits to Security Council Veto Power in the Face of Atrocity Crimes. The book suggests that there are legal limits to using the veto power within the UNSC when it comes to mass atrocities.

Watch the recording here

Imagining justice for Syria

9 February 2021 - Professor Van Schaack presents a range of judicial measures to resolve the Syrian impunity and justice crisis. Her book Imagining Justice for Syria explores the legal impediments that led to the almost complete impunity of perpetrators of international crimes committed in Syria.

Watch the recording here

Book available here

The Biden administration and international law

19 January 2021 - Professor Jose Alvarez and Professor Gerry Simpson give an insight into Biden’s attempt to restore respect for international law and how foreign policy trends outlasting Trump, challenge the newly elected President.

Watch the recording here

Putting law into war: Reflections on the birth of international criminal justice at the ICTY

06 February 2020 - William J. Fenrick looks back at his long career in international law. As one of the first staff members of the ICTY he reflects on the difficulties due to the lack of clarity with regard to the law, offenses and elements of crimes applicable at the ICTY.

Recording available here

Transitional justice: Contending with the past

27 January 2020 - Michael Newman asks what should be done after a repressive regime or a civil war ends? How can bitter divisions be resolved while allowing both for reconciliation and accountability? In his book he argues that each situation is different and that it is vital to contend fully with the past and address the fundamental causes of mass human rights abuses.

Book available here

Genocide never sleeps: Living law at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

23 January 2020 - Nigel Eltringham presents his book based on ethnographic research at the ICTR which allows insight into the day-to-day practice of international criminal justice. This includes observations about the challenges of simultaneous translation to collaborating with colleagues from different legal traditions and the exceptional nature of an ad hoc court.

Book available here

From Timbuktu to the Hague

16 January 2020 - Professor Mark Drumbl gives insight into the Al Mahdi case before the ICC. Al Mahdi was found guilty for the war crime consisting of intentionally directing attacks against religious and historic buildings in Timbuktu, Mali. He further describes how the penalisation of the destruction of cultural property has changed the conversation about the importance of culture and the destruction of it as a war crime.

Recording available here