Swiss Peace Partners Workshop on Myanmar
2024-06-27 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
On 27 June 2024, LAW participated in the Swiss Peace Partners workshop on Myanmar, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting, arranged by the Swiss Embassy in Yangon and the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform brought together a number of organisations working on a diverse range of issues related to Myanmar.
LAW presented its critical work supporting Rohingya participation in ongoing international justice processes, including the case between The Gambia and Myanmar at the International Court of Justice on the application of the Genocide Convention, and the ongoing investigation of Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in the situation of Bangladesh/ Myanmar.
LAW was also able to discuss its vital work enhancing and supporting the documentation of serious human rights violations and international crimes across post-coup Myanmar, especially conflict-related sexual violence, as well as LAW’s support and empowerment for survivors and grassroots organisations in pursuing justice.

HRC56 Side Event: Russia’s Violation of the Right to Life in Ukraine - An Unprecedented Communication before the UN Human Rights Committee
2024-07-10 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | United Nations, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Russia’s Violation of the Right to Life in Ukraine: An Unprecedented Communication before the UN Human Rights Committee
56th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Side Event
10 July 2024
Palais des Nations, Room XXIV (Building E)

Sponsored by: Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom, Permanent Mission of Ukraine
Facilitated by: Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ), Truth Hounds.

During the 56th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) and Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) will facilitate a side event to present their recent joint communication to the UN Human Rights Committee and discuss its potential to secure accountability for all victims of aggressive war.
In July 2022, a Russian missile strike on the city of Vinnytsia killed 29 Ukrainian persons and injured over 200 people. Relying on a previously untested interpretation of international human rights law, the communication alleges that Russia violated the right to life of all those killed in the attack. An individual communication was filed jointly by CFJ, leading Ukrainian organization Truth Hounds, and LAW on behalf of the families of Ukrainian civilians and soldiers.
The side event aims to use the individual communication and the novel legal arguments that it puts forward to start a conversation around crucial topics in international justice, such as the norm against aggression, the role of human rights law in conflict situations, and the various accountability options available to victims of international crimes and human rights violations. We hope this conversation will help advance justice for victims and survivors in Ukraine and beyond.
Context
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Russian forces have committed countless war crimes and human rights violations. Due to the unprecedentedly swift response by international and national justice mechanisms, the active involvement and collaborative approach of the Ukrainian authorities and real-time documentation efforts capturing evidence, the situation in Ukraine presents a unique opportunity for international justice and accountability.
National authorities in Ukraine and international mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, have been collecting evidence for future criminal investigations and prosecutions of perpetrators, with civil society organizations actively supporting official processes by documenting crimes and collecting information to help bring perpetrators to account.
A consistent feature of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion has been shelling, bombardment, and missile strikes—like the Vinnytsia attack—against densely populated urban areas. Even now, Russia is intensifying attacks against Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killing civilians almost every day.
Yet, given the limitations of international humanitarian law and international criminal law, many of these attacks may not amount to war crimes. Under international humanitarian law, the victims of the Vinnytsia attack—as well as thousands of others killed due to shelling or attacks in densely populated urban—could be treated merely as “collateral damage” to the war under the law, with no options for justice. Similarly, Ukrainian soldiers killed as part of Russia’s attacks would have no opportunity for redress or accountability.
Impact
The joint communication requests that the Human Rights Committee affirm the norm against aggression and bring justice for families of the victims of the Vinnytsia attack by determining that Russia’s actions during this unlawful attack violated the right to life of those killed in the attack. In doing so, as part of its decision, the Committee would be the first international judicial organ to hold that Russia was engaged in an act of aggression.
Additionally, the communication requests that Russia safeguards all information relating to the Vinnytsia missile strike on 14 July 2022 and conducts a prompt, impartial, and independent investigation into the missile strike for the prosecution of those responsible. This request would allow Russia to meet its obligation to pursue criminal liability for those responsible for international crimes and human rights violations.
Objective:
The side event will serve as the initial platform for discussing the role human rights law can play in advancing accountability and international justice efforts. We will hear from international legal experts, practitioners, and survivor advocates on how human rights law and mechanisms can be used to advance justice for victims and survivors in Ukraine and beyond.

Roundtable discussion: Paving the way for accountability, truth, and reconciliation: a trust fund for victims of atrocity crimes in Myanmar
2024-09-25 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | NYC Bar Association, 42 W, 44th St., New York, NY, United States
Paving the way for accountability, truth, and reconciliation: a trust fund for victims of violence in Myanmar
Roundtable Discussion during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79)
This roundtable discussion aims to initiate a dialogue to identify pathways for securing reparative measures for the victims of grave human rights violations and international crimes in Myanmar whilst the legal proceedings and investigations are underway. The discussion will explore the opportune role of the UNGA in steering the current accountability discourse away from punitive justice towards transformative justice through establishing a trust fund.
Key speakers will include:

Hon’ble Dawda A. Jallow, Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Republic of The Gambia
Ambassador Beth Van Schaack, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, U.S. Department of State
Aung Kyaw Moe, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Human Rights, National Unity Government

Side Event to HRC57: Is There Still a Possibility for the ICC to Investigate Syria?
2024-10-03 15:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | United Nations, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Is There Still a Possibility for the ICC to Investigate Syria?
Side Event to the Human Rights Council 57th Session

Thursday, 03 October 2024
14:00 – 15:00
Room XXIV, Palais des Nations, Geneva

This side event aims to explore the potential for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the situation in Syria, specifically through a state referral based on enforced deportation. This discussion is crucial in light of the numerous obstacles that previous efforts faced, including vetoes at the Security Council and other significant challenges. The event will feature a panel of distinguished speakers who will provide insights into past efforts, recent attempts, and future possibilities for ICC involvement in addressing the grave human rights violations in Syria.
Panelists:

Mazen Darwish, Lawyer, Founder, and Executive Director of Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM)
Michelle Jarvis, Deputy Head of the International, Impartial, Independent Mechanism (IIIM), Syria
Antonia Mulvey, Founder and Executive Director of Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)
Yaser Tabbara, Lawyer, Co-founding Board Member of Syria Forum (SF); Chief Strategist

Accountability and empowerment: Supporting Survivors of Conflict Related Sexual Violence
2024-10-25 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Women, Peace and Security Week 2024

Accountability and empowerment: Supporting Survivors of Conflict Related Sexual Violence
25 October 2024, 11:30-13:00, CR 11, New York

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) remains a grave and pervasive issue in conflict and post- conflict zones worldwide, affecting primarily women and girls, but also men and boys.
In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, reports of women, girls and children raped remain a painful and appalling testimony of the usage of sexual violence as a weapon of war and its destructive force in the society.
In Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, CAR, DRC, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Somalia, Syria, Libya, and Yemen, women continue to be objects of different forms of conflict-related sexual violence.
Such violence not only inflicts immediate physical and psychological harm, but also perpetuates cycles of trauma and impunity. Despite international legal frameworks and increased awareness, survivors often face significant challenges in accessing justice, comprehensive support services, and opportunities for empowerment. For children born from conflict-related rape, and for their mothers, who both often face additional discrimination, such challenges are even more daunting.
Accountability remains fundamental in responding to, preventing, and ultimately eliminating CRSV. Lack of accountability perpetuates an extremely dangerous cycle of impunity, emboldening those who commit sexual violence to continue their actions without any fear of consequences.
The side event “Accountability and Empowerment: Supporting Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence” aims to shine a spotlight on the specific challenges faced by survivors and to explore tailored strategies and initiatives that can enhance accountability, support survivors, and empower affected communities by presenting, in particular, the experience of Kosovo1- and Ukraine.
It will serve as a platform to galvanize efforts, and share knowledge, by focusing on best practices, strategies and initiatives that enhance accountability, support survivors, and empower affected communities. By prioritizing accountability, comprehensive support, and empowerment, we aim to create a more inclusive and just post-conflict environment where survivors can rebuild their lives with dignity and in safety.

Panel Discussion

Pramilla Patten, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Marta Chumalo, Ukrainian human rights defender, co-founder and psychologist at Women’s Perspectives (online)
Mirlinda Sada, CSO activist, Medica Gjakova (online)
H.E. Gesa Braeutigam, Special Envoy for Feminist Foreign Policy and Director for HumanRights at the German Federal Foreign Office
Nick Leddy, Head of Litigation, Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)

Redeeming the ICC Mandate: Possibility for Referring the Situation in Syria Under Article 14
2024-12-04 08:00 - 09:30 (Europe/London) | The Hague, World Forum, The Hague, Netherlands
Side Event to the 23rd session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute

Date: Wednesday, 4 December 2024
Time: 8:00 AM
Duration: 90 minutes
Location: Antarctica Room, World Forum, The Hague

Objective
This event will explore the critical role the International Criminal Court (ICC) could play in addressing the Syrian crisis. The panel will analyse the institutional risks and credibility challenges the Court faces if it fails to intervene meaningfully. Discussions will focus on how a State Party-led referral under Article 14 can bolster the ICC’s legitimacy and create a pathway for accountability in Syria. The panel will also emphasise the importance of civil society and State Party sponsorship to maximise the impact of accountability efforts.
Panelists

Ambassador Stephen Rapp – Senior Fellow for International Justice at the Center on National Security at Georgetown Law
Haydee Dijkstal – Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Atlantic Council
Yaser Tabbara – Co-Founder, the Syrian Forum
Nick Leddy – Head of Litigation, Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)
Jörn Eiermann – Special Assistant to the Head of the International, Impartial, and Independent Mechanism (IIIM)

Moderator: Sally Shobut – Advocacy Officer, SFUSA

Disrupting International Crimes in Sudan: Views from the Front Lines
2024-12-04 13:15 - 14:45 (Europe/London) | The Hague, World Forum, The Hague, Netherlands
Side Event to the 23rd session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute
Location: Oceania Room of the World Forum, The Hague
Time: 1.15 – 2.45 PM

Launch of the Gender Justice Practitioner Hub: a better gender justice for survivors of international crimes
2024-12-05 18:15 - 20:00 (Europe/London) | Australian Embassy, Tobias Asserlaan 6, The Hague, Netherlands
Side Event to the 23rd session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute
Location: The Australian Residence, Tobias Asserlaan 6, The Hague (on invitation only)
Time: 6.15 – 8:00 PM
The Gender Justice Practitioners Hub is founded to foster collaboration, strengthen coordination and facilitate experience-sharing amongst practitioners all over the world to ensure better gender justice outcomes for survivors of core international crimes.

Universal Jurisdiction and Complementarity at the ICC: Collaborating to End Impunity
2024-12-06 08:00 - 09:45 (Europe/London) | The Hague, World Forum, The Hague, Netherlands
23rd Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court Side Event

Friday 6 December, 08:30 – 09:45h
Asia Room, World Forum, Den Haag
Sponsored by the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Facilitated by Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) and the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ)

Overview
During the 23rd session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP23) to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Legal Action Worldwide and the Clooney Foundation for Justice will host a side event exploring how civil society organizations (CSOs) and domestic prosecutors can contribute to international justice efforts in partnership with the ICC. This event will examine how national actors and CSOs are advancing universal jurisdiction (UJ) litigation while simultaneously supporting investigations by the ICC Office of the Prosecutor (OTP). The side event will be sponsored by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
This side event will examine the role of CSOs in proceedings before domestic courts under the principle of UJ and in international proceedings. As case studies, it will examine situations in Myanmar, Ukraine, and Venezuela and extract lessons learned for other situations, such as Sudan. Panelists will discuss how domestic and international criminal investigations can and must complement each other when addressing the same contexts—and how CSOs play a key role in advancing justice for atrocities at both levels.
This dual approach is a key feature of the OTP’s new Policy on Complementarity and Cooperation (“Policy”). The Policy emphasizes the need for the OTP to develop and maintain strong partnerships with State actors and CSOs, to support justice efforts at a national level while still pursuing its own mandate to investigate and prosecute the most serious international crimes.
Panelists will consider how CSOs and prosecutors in Member States can contribute to this dynamic notion of complementarity. They will explore the legal frameworks, practices, and jurisprudence that allow CSOs to play an essential role in UJ cases, creating opportunities for justice and accountability at all levels.
Background
Under its new Policy, the OTP departs from its previously articulated complementarity policy and puts forward a “two-track approach” to complementarity. Its parallel principles — “partnership” and “vigilance” — emphasize the need for ICC and States Parties to coordinate their justice efforts. The Policy frames the OTP’s work as “informing, and as forming part of, a wider array of actions that can be carried out among a plurality of accountability actors.”2 UJ litigation is a key tool by which States can take such action. By reimagining complementarity as a collaborative endeavor, the ICC and State Parties can pursue multiple accountability avenues in one situation at the same time. Considering both the procedural framework and accompanying timelines in national systems versus those of the ICC and the pace of recent UJ case openings, the emerging trend is that UJ cases are being formally initiated at a faster pace than ICC cases, further making the case for the need for increased collaboration between international prosecutors, national authorities, and CSOs.
CSOs play a crucial role in international justice efforts. CSOs were involved in more than half of ongoing UJ cases in 2023.3 Their expertise extends far beyond investigating and filing UJ matters; CSOs are uniquely positioned to facilitate connections between survivors, domestic prosecutors, and ICC or other non-local actors. They may also provide crucial support that enables survivors to participate in proceedings at all levels. Because CSOs typically have existing ties with the communities they serve, they can help facilitate survivor-centered approaches to accountability.
CSOs have long bridged the gap between States Parties and the ICC. However, some commentators have noted that the Policy stops short of specifying how it plans to strengthen its dialogue with CSOs.4 Further clarity is necessary to ensure CSOs and domestic prosecutors are meaningfully included across justice processes, particularly as their roles relate to two-way evidence collection and sharing. The panelists will explore a range of situation countries and discuss lessons learned from supporting and engaging in international justice efforts alongside OTP investigations.
Agenda
00:00 – 00:05 Introduction/Welcoming Remarks(5 min)
00:05 – 00:50 Panel Discussion (60 min)
Panelists:

Yasmine Chubin, Legal Advocacy Director, The Docket, Clooney Foundation for Justice

Nick Leddy, Head of Litigation, Legal Action Worldwide

Antonia David, Senior Program Manager, The Docket, Clooney Foundation for Justice

Pubudu Sachithanandan, Trial Lawyer, ICC Office of the Prosecutor

Anna J. van Dooren, Public Prosecutor International Crimes Unit, National Prosecution Service, The Netherlands

Chantal Daniels, Cooperation Advisor, ICC Office of the Prosecutor (TBC)

Lecture: How to achieve justice for victims and survivors of international crimes in today’s global landscape
2025-01-30 16:30 - 18:00 (Europe/London) | Brighton & Sussex Medical School, BN1 9PX, Sussex, United Kingdom
“It’s only when they know what the repercussions might be that we will prevent them from attacking repeatedly.” – Antonia Mulvey
In this discussion with Christian Henderson, Professor of International Law at Sussex Law School and Jeremy Allouche Professorial Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, Antonia Mulvey will address how her career has developed, being part of one of the few female-led teams in international law, the challenges faced by teams on the front lines of conflict, and the fight for the upholding of international law.

Roundtable: “Justice and accountability for attacks against humanitarian personnel, premises and assets”
2025-02-03 - 2025-02-04 | King Baudouin Foundation, Brederode Street 21, Brussels, Belgium
With 2024 witnessing unprecedented risks for humanitarian personnel, particularly for nationally recruited staff, and minimal accountability for attacks, urgent action is required to strengthen protections for humanitarian actors in conflict zones.
This gathering of leading experts will explore actionable solutions to improve access to justice and accountability for affected personnel and humanitarian organizations. Your expertise on this critical issue will be invaluable in shaping the next steps to safeguard humanitarian personnel globally.
This is a closed roundtable event.

Justice for Victims and Survivors of Sexual Violence in Conflict in Sudan
2025-02-27 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | United Nations, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
The conflict in Sudan, which has featured, and continues to feature, brutal acts of violence against women and girls as a weapon of war, is a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done. Legal Action Worldwide and the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa will bring together key experts to shed light on the crimes committed, and to explore creative avenues for justice and accountability for victims and survivors.
The panellists will share their experiences working with women on different ways to obtain justice and reparations. They will showcase the incredible work done by survivors’ groups in Sudan and in other contexts, showing for example the extraordinary, larger than life, ‘Body Mapping’ paintings created by South Sudanese survivors.

Key speakers:

Statements from survivors
H.E. Mr. Tormod C. Endresen – Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
H.E. Ms. Eleanor Sanders – Ambassador for Human Rights, Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
Dr. Faizat Badmus-Busari – Regional Programme Manager, Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA)
Ms. Mona Rishmawi – Member of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan
Ms. Adriana Quinones – Head of Human Rights and Development, UN Women Geneva Office
Ms. Antonia Mulvey – Founder and Executive Director, Legal Action Worldwide

This event is reserved for participants who are accredited to enter the United Nations premises in Geneva.

The Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar: A focus on Paletwa, Southern Chin State
2025-03-19 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/London) | United Nations, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
The Evolving Crisis in Paletwa Township under Arakan Army Control
This side event, organized by Chin Human Rights Organisation (CHRO), with support from Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), will serve as a platform to present CHRO’s latest findings on the evolving human rights situation in Paletwa (Myanmar) under the Arakan Army’s control and to highlight the ongoing challenges faced by civilians in the township.
The event will advocate for stronger support from the international community in the context of ongoing violence in Myanmar, including immediate needs for humanitarian aid and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. Finally, the event will facilitate dialogue on prioritizing discourse on transformative justice opportunities, including the establishment of a much-needed trust fund.
When: Wednesday, 19 March 2025
Time: 10:00 -11:00
Where: Room XXV, Palais des Nations, Geneva

'Prayaama' - A Musical Evening for a social cause
2025-03-22 18:00 - 22:00 (Asia/Colombo)
Legal Action Worldwide presents ‘Prayaama’ a Musical Evening for a social cause.
Date: 22nd March
Where: Nelum Pokuna Indoor Theatre, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Time: 6PM onwards
Sri Lanka’s beloved artists come together to speak up against domestic violence & child abuse:
🔥BnS
🔥Umaria
🔥Kasun Kalhara
🔥Jayashri
🔥Nadeeka Jayawardena
🥁Backed by the Naada Band
⭐️Special Performance by Jalinda Karunaratne
⭐️Compered by Stephanie Siriwardhana
🎫 To reserve your tickets: https://www.ticketsministry.com/concerts/prayaama/67b60d3906df3
🏠 Proceeds will support 2 shelter homes providing shelter & essential services to victim-survivors of domestic violence & child abuse in Sri Lanka.

Protecting aid workers: From policy to action
2025-03-25 09:00 - 10:30 (Europe/London) | CICG, Geneva, Switzerland
In May 2024, the Security Council voted UNSC 2730(2024) almost unanimously, acknowledging the increased targeting of aid workers and buildings belonging to humanitarian organisations, the repeated denials of access to humanitarian aid, and the limited investigations and prosecutions of the international humanitarian law and human rights violations and abuses committed.
The objective of this side event was to gather the perspectives of donors and organisations at the forefront of concrete efforts to translate UNSC 2730(2024), the Political Declaration, and other policy commitments, into concrete action to prevent violence against aid workers and promote their protection worldwide.
When: Tuesday, 25 March 2025
Where: Salle Montreux, CICG, Geneva (hybrid format)
Time: 9.00 – 10.30 CET
Moderator: Olivier Vandecasteele, Founder and Director, Protect Humanitarians
Speakers:

Dorota Kaczuba, Regional Programmes MENA, South-West Asia and Arabian Peninsula, DG ECHO

Jeanne Frangieh, Chief Executive Officer, Himaya Daeem Aataa (online)

David Annequin, Director, Protect Aid Workers

Kate Norton, Operations Director, Legal Action Worldwide

Amjad Saleem, Manager Strategic Engagement: Youth, Peace and Fundamental Principles, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Session Outcomes
The high-level event on the protection of aid workers brought together member states, NGOs, and initiatives to examine how commitments made under UN Security Council Resolution 2730 and related efforts can translate into tangible protections for aid workers in the field. The session was opened by H.E. Mrs. Emily Roper, Ambassador, Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargée d’affaires a.i., Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva.
Speakers highlighted record-high levels of violence against aid workers in 2023 and 2024, with 97% of those killed being local or national staff. Discussions reinforced the need to centre survivor voices, uphold International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and deliver practical, field-ready mechanisms for protection and care.

Jeanne Frangieh of Himaya Daeem Aataa gave a moving account of a recent airstrike on her organisation. Support from the Protect Aid Workers initiative provided rapid, holistic assistance from hospital costs to psychosocial care. Testimonials from Médecins du Monde and others echoed these experiences and called for more predictable and inclusive support.
Panellists from Protect Aid Workers, Legal Action Worldwide, and the IFRC’s Red Family Fund explored current initiatives and lessons learned. They stressed that while global advocacy is essential, real change requires investment in operational tools — particularly for local actors — including legal aid, mental health services, security capacity, and systems for data collection and response.
An interactive discussion explored how to address underreporting, discrimination, gaps in duty of care, and the rising criminalisation of humanitarian action. Participants also reflected on the growing need for digital risk management and solidarity-based mechanisms to counter trauma and loss.
In partnership with the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Protect Aid Workers, Protect Humanitarians, Legal Action Worldwide, the Global Interagency Security Forum, Action Contre la Faim, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Towards a holistic accountability framework for Syria: Is it possible?
2025-03-27 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/London) | United Nations, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
A side event to the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva
As Syria transitions beyond the Assad regime, the country faces multiple international and national justice mechanisms created to address human rights violations and war crimes committed during the conflict. These include the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI), Independent Institution for Missing Persons (IIMP), ICC, ICJ case on torture, OPCW investigations, and OHCHR’s new presence in Damascus.
With the new Syrian government expressing readiness to cooperate with international mechanisms, this event will explore the feasibility of consolidating these mechanisms into a structured framework. Can Syria adopt a cohesive justice process that combines national and international accountability efforts?
This side event will bring together legal experts, Syrian policymakers, and civil society actors to assess the political and legal viability of such an approach.
When: Thursday, 27 March 2025
Where: Room XXII, Palais des Nations, Geneva
Time: 10.oo-11.00 CET
Co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations Office and other International Organisations in Geneva.

IBA War Crimes Committee Conference 2025
2025-04-05 12:00 - 13:30 (Europe/Rome) | The Hague, World Forum, The Hague, Netherlands
Law on the Frontlines: Documenting and Defending Humanity in Hostilities
In 2025, evidence is being gathered in real time from conflict zones. Documentors are living through war and taking extraordinary risks. Not everyone investigating falls into the classic police or prosecutor role. How can we learn from past mistakes? How can we safely preserve evidence in a survivor-centered, trauma-informed way that has the best chance of admission at trial?

Session / Workshop Chair(s):

Mikel Delagrange: Wayamo Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland

Speakers:

Ali Fowle: Independent Journalist, Edinburgh, Scotland
Leela Jadhav: Forensic Architecture, London, England
Nick Leddy: Legal Action Worldwide, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Johann Soufi: United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

Criminalization of LGBTIQ+: A crime against humanity?
2025-04-10 | Paris, France
Criminalization of LGBTIQ+: A crime against humanity?
While love is not a crime, the systematic persecution committed by states against LGBT+ people is likely to constitute a crime punishable under international law. The International Criminal Court (ICC) indeed recognised the existence of crimes based on gender and the ICC Prosecutor requested the issuance of arrest warrants for persecution suffered by LGBTQ+ individuals.
The conference therefore proposes to turn the question of the criminalisation of homosexuality on its head, by examining how to criminally prosecute state agents responsible for such persecution.
Which state agents can be prosecuted?
In a state that criminalises homosexuality, who would be criminally responsible for crimes against humanity against homosexuals? Can we hold those who voted for and signed the law criminally liable or only those who apply it?
Speaker: Nick Leddy, Head of Litigation at Legal Action Worldwide

The Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network
2025-05-13 - 2025-05-14 | Oslo, Norway, Oslo, Norway
The Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network
Norway and Japan, as the 2025 Co-Chairs of the WPS Focal Points Network, will host a Thematic Meeting of the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network, which will take place in Oslo, Norway, from May 13-14, 2025.
The Thematic Meeting will focus on increasing women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peacebuilding and peace processes.
Our Executive Director Antonia Mulvey will join the WPS Focal Points Network in Oslo to advance inclusive peacemaking.
We face a critical question: In a time of global pushback on human rights, how do we act now to secure justice and accountability for victims and survivors of international crimes and human rights violations, including conflict-related sexual violence?

Advancing Accountability for International Crimes in the Region
2025-05-13 - 2025-05-15
Wayamo’s International Justice Week in Pretoria: Advancing Accountability for International Crimes in the Region

The Wayamo Foundation will host a week of events dedicated to strengthening domestic and regional accountability mechanisms for international crimes in Pretoria, South Africa between 13–15 May 2025. The programme features an International Justice Workshop organised in partnership with the South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and a Judges Symposium. The gatherings will focus on providing forums for prosecutors, investigators and members of the judiciary to exchange ideas, build capacity, and chart practical strategies for justice.
From 13 to 15 May 2025, Wayamo and the NPA will host a three-day workshop entitled “Domestic and international accountability mechanisms for international crimes: new developments and opportunities” where regional and international legal experts, prosecutors, and investigators will tackle the evolving challenges and opportunities in the fight against impunity for international crimes.
Through a mix of lectures and interactive discussions, the event aims to foster peer exchange and enhance the capacity of legal practitioners in South Africa to address international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
Participants will explore the domestic application of international criminal law, the critical role of linkage evidence and evidentiary standards for crimes against humanity. The workshop will also focus on gender-based crimes, open-source investigations (OSINT), and the authentication and admissibility of digital evidence. The workshop will end with a closer look at mechanisms beyond the International Criminal Court (ICC) and look specifically at recent universal jurisdiction trends.
Speakers include:

Akingbolahan Adeniran, former Attorney General of Ogun State (Nigeria), former investigator and trial lawyer at the International Criminal Court
Chris Gevers, Director, Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS), Wits School of Law
Ben Gumpert, KC, Crown Court Judge and former barrister, former Senior Trial Lawyer at the International Criminal Court
Mark Kersten, Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University Fraser Valley, Canada and Senior Consultant, Wayamo Foundation
Rosalind Sipos, Legal Officer at the UN International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria (IIIM), Geneva
Kim Thuy Seelinger, Professor of Practice in Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis; former Senior Coordinator on Gender-based Crimes and Crimes Against Children at the ICC Office of the Prosecutor and Special Adviser on Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict to the ICC Prosecutor
Stefano Trevisan, Legal Advisor at Legal Action Worldwide, Expert in Open-source information (OSINT)
Linda Bore, International Criminal Lawyer & Project Coordinator, Wayamo Foundation
Mikel Delagrange, Senior International Legal Advisor, Wayamo Foundation

Running parallel to the final day of the prosecutor’s workshop on May 15, Wayamo will also host a Judges Symposium for members of South Africa’s judiciary. This closed-door session will gather South African judges and international criminal law experts to examine the domestic application of international law, the relevance of open-source evidence, and the role of the judiciary in upholding accountability for atrocity crimes. The symposium’s goal is to foster frank, high-level dialogue around legal interpretation, admissibility of modern forms of evidence, and universal jurisdiction.
All activities are being organised within the framework of the “Strengthening justice and accountability for international crimes in Sudan” project, where the Wayamo Foundation provides training in international criminal law, international humanitarian law and human rights to civil society and legal actors both in Sudan and the East African region, aimed at building a coalition committed to addressing impunity through domestic, regional and international accountability mechanisms.

EHF 2025: Protecting Frontline Humanitarians: the case for strengthened duty of care, mental health support and survivor-centred accountability to local responders
2025-05-19 16:30 - 17:30 (Europe/London) | Brussels, Belgium, Brussels, Belgium
European Humanitarian Forum 2025
Protecting Frontline Humanitarians: the case for strengthened duty of care, mental health support and survivor-centred accountability to local responders
Local humanitarian responders face growing risks, caught between the urgency of aid delivery and increasing violations of International Humanitarian Law. Despite their essential role, they receive inadequate support, with duty of care provisions and mental health resources largely skewed in favour of international agencies. Addressing this requires systemic change—embedding Duty of Care, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and survivor-centred accountability as fundamental pillars of humanitarian action.
This Humanitarian Talk will highlight these urgent issues and advocate for reforms to better protect and support local responders. Participants will shed light on the psychological toll of frontline work and the need for improved duty of care and mental health support. Testimonies from local responders in Palestine, Sudan, and Ukraine will offer firsthand perspectives on challenges, inequities in protection, and barriers to accessing essential resources. A key focus will be Duty of Care, including access to mental health and psychosocial support, for frontline workers.
As attacks on humanitarian personnel reach record highs, the panellists will also explore how access to justice and accountability mechanisms could be strengthened to protect responders and address violations against them. It will examine how recent international commitments – such as UNSC Resolution 2730 on the protection of humanitarian personnel – can translate into concrete actions that provide more protection and care for those on the frontlines. Ultimately, this event aims to amplify local voices and push for meaningful reforms toward a more just, equitable, and survivor-centred humanitarian system.
Speakers

Antonia Mulvey: Executive Director, Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)
Sudhanshu S․ Singh: Founder & CEO, Humanitarian Aid International
Heidy Rombouts: Director General Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid
Olivier Vandecasteele: Director, Protect Humanitarians
Cátia Matos: MHPSS Technical Advisor, RCRC Movement MHPSS Hub
Liudmyla (Mila) Leonova: Director Alliance of Ukrainian Civil Society Organisations
Imad Abuhasira: Former Humanitarian Worker
Eva Tamber: Senior Consultant, Protect Humanitarians

PoC Week: Humanitarians under attack: contemporary challenges faced by frontline workers
2025-05-23 13:15 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | New York, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the U, New York, United States
Side Event to Protection of Civilians (PoC) Week
Humanitarians under attack: contemporary challenges faced by frontline workers
Where: New York, UNHQ (CR8)
When: Friday 23 May 2025, 13:15-14:30
International humanitarian law is the foundation for alleviating human suffering in conflict. It provides a legal framework for the protection of civilians, including humanitarian personnel who assist and protect victims of armed conflict. Yet, recent years have seen an alarming increase in incidents impacting aid workers. These include direct attacks, restrictions (including bureaucratic impediments) limiting access, and disinformation campaigns. Humanitarian action is increasingly being politicized and criminalized. 2024 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian personnel, with national and locally recruited personnel representing over 90 per cent of those affected, and perpetrators remaining largely unaccountable.
On the oneyear anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council 2730 (2024), this side-event co-hosted by Australia and Switzerland and co-sponsored by a crossregional group of states presents an opportunity for member states to rededicate themselves to the protection of humanitarian personnel. Consisting of representatives of UN agencies, the ICRC, and international and non-governmental organisations, the panelists will present some of the daily challenges faced by national and locally recruited humanitarian personnel working in conflict zones today.

Consultation on Accountability for Sudan
2025-05-28 - 2025-05-30 | Nairobi, Kenya
Lessons learned from accountability efforts undertaken in other country contexts
Examples of accountability efforts undertaken in other country contexts and in various international, hybrid to internationalized contexts, such as the Gambia, Senegal (Chad), Sierra Leone, Rwanda and CAR.

Ways in which international, hybrid or internationalized mechanisms can be set up, what is needed to achieve this, their main features and challenges (e.g. differences between the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)).
Overview of regional and domestic accountability efforts and options, including the status of the Malabo Protocol, and the example of e.g. the Habre case in Senegal and CAR Special Criminal Court, and feasibility to adopt such a model to Sudan.
Feasibility of an international, hybrid or internationalized form of justice and accountability for Sudan, what are victim’s wishes for accountability and the way it should take shape? What is most realistic and suitable to the Sudan context (e.g. effective, independent, credible, number and level of perpetrators, financial constraints)?

Speakers:

Essa Faal, Senior Trial Attorney, ICC, former Lead Counsel on the Gambian Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission.
Nick Leddy, Head of Litigation, Legal Action Worldwide (online)
Mutasim Ali, Legal Adviser Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights
Stella Ndirangu, International Human Rights Lawyer, ICJ Kenya Council.

Justice Denied: Fighting Widespread Impunity for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) Conference
2025-06-02 - 2025-06-03 | Melbourne, Australia, Melbourne, Australia
About the conference
The conference aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and critical reflection on the current state of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in the Indo-Pacific region, including fragile situations and all forms of sexual and gender based violence. It seeks to showcase cutting edge research as well as policy solutions and share diverse perspectives and experiences on CRSV within the region.

Justice and accountability for aid workers and health workers: What more can Geneva do?
2025-06-20 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London)
Since 2020, nearly 1,000 aid workers have been arbitrarily arrested or detained across various contexts. What can Geneva, home to international human rights institutions, do to better support justice and accountability for them?
Join us at the UN Human Rights Council for a crucial side event on justice and accountability for aid and health workers:
🗓 Date: Friday, 20 June 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00–13:00
📍 Location: Room XXV, Palais des Nations, Geneva
This important panel, hosted by Legal Action Worldwide, presents a critical opportunity to discuss stronger protections, more effective investigations, and access to international human rights mechanisms.
Speakers include:
🇦🇺 H.E. Ms. Emily Roper, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
🇨🇭 S.E. Mr. Julien Thöni, Switzerland at the United Nations
🇪🇺 H.E. Mr. Michele Cervone d’Urso, Delegation of the European Union to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva
🔹 Ms. Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
🔹 Ms. Pauline Chetcuti, Head of Humanitarian Advocacy and Campaigns, Oxfam International
🔹 Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Head and Representative of United Nations OCHA in Geneva
🔹 Ms. Antonia Mulvey, Founder & Executive Director, LAW
🔹 Mr. Camille Gosselin, Advocacy Manager, Action Contre la Faim

Gender Justice & International Criminal Law Conference
2025-09-29 - 2025-09-30 | The Hague, World Forum, The Hague, Netherlands
On 29 and 30 September 2025in The Hague, the Gender and International Criminal Law Conference will bring together legal practitioners, scholars, activists, survivors, and policymakers to critically assess and respond to emerging challenges at the intersection of gender justice and international criminal law (ICL).
As obstacles to gender justice escalate in conflict and post-conflict zones around the world and international justice institutions face increasing attacks on their legitimacy and mandates, the need for a space to build resilience, solidarity, and resistance has never been more urgent.
Join us for a two-day conference bringing together over 100 key actors in the field of Gender Justice to confront urgent challenges, foster solidarity, and amplify collective voices.
Through dynamic dialogue and shared strategies, we will advance feminist and intersectional legal approaches that move beyond rhetoric to action. This annual gathering serves as a critical platform to elevate the voices, expertise, and leadership of Global Majority practitioners, advocates, and scholars.
This Conference is co-organized by Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), the Gender Justice Practitioner Hub (GJP Hub), Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice (WIGJ), and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS). It is supported by the Global Initiative Against Impunity, the International Gender Champions Network, the Global Justice Center, and UN Women.
The Conference is made possible with the generous support of the Australian Government, with co-funding from the European Union.
Full event details coming soon.
