Course 8: The International Criminal Court and Prospects For Justice & Accountability – Monique and Roland Weyl People's Academy of International Law

Course 8

The International Criminal Court and Prospects For Justice & Accountability

Course Description

After the establishment of temporary criminal tribunals and following fifty years of development, the 2002 creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) reflected the need for a permanent international criminal tribunal. In the following years, the ICC’s failure to issue arrest warrants for any individual who was not from the African continent, and its apparent deference to Western powers, has been widely criticized by the international community. However, the ICC’s recent issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity represents a historic shift. The ICC has since issued an arrest warrant for former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte for a crime against humanity.

This 3-hr course will explore the history of the ICC and examine its effectiveness in bringing those who commit the worst atrocities to justice.

Moderated by Dean Marjorie Cohn.

Course Content

Understand the Foundations of the International Criminal Court: Examine the history, scope, and jurisprudence of international criminal law and the establishment of the ICC.
Learn from a Lawyer Representing Gazan Victims in the ICC: Gain insight into legal strategies and the challenges of pursuing accountability amid geopolitical pressure from world powers.
Examine the Ongoing Case Against Former President Duterte: Hear from a lawyer representing victims in the ICC proceedings and explore their approach to seeking justice.
Analyze the ICC’s Blindspots: Analyze the legitimacy of the ICC through the lens of the Ongwen Judgment, and
its racial and cultural biases and blindspots, from the defense perspective