Does the International Court of Justice have a role to play in protecting civilians from harm?

Does the International Court of Justice have a role to play in protecting civilians from harm?

Arrive: 18:00
Panel Discussion: 18:15-19:00
Q&A: 19:00-19:20

Followed by a drinks reception

Moderator: Elizabeth Wilmshurst KC

Panel: Max du Plessis SC, Aarif Abraham, Kate Gibson, Professor Payam Akhavan

In an increasingly polarised international landscape, the relentless killing of civilians in situations of mass atrocity and conflict is still largely being met by paralysis and inaction. The number of cases before the International Criminal Court (ICC) remains small, despite arrest warrants being issued or considered, prompting states to engage other avenues for accountability. One avenue, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is experiencing “one of the most dynamic periods of its history”, according to former President Donoghue. Cases such as The Gambia v Myanmar, South Africa v. Israel, Ukraine v. Russia, and Armenia v. Azerbaijan are grounded in active conflicts or situations of mass human rights abuses, and have attracted intervening States who are openly characterising their applications for intervention as being in the interests of victims. The recent initiation of steps by Germany, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands to bring Afghanistan before the ICJ to account for abuses of the rights of Afghan women and girls may further broaden the Court’s role in enforcing States’ obligations under human rights treaties as a means of protecting civilians from harm. 

Against this backdrop, a panel of Doughty Street practitioners and experts will seek to examine whether the ICJ has a role to play in the protection of civilians, and whether its increasing caseload will give it the opportunity to do so. They will also explore the connection between ICC and ICJ processes, and how they might influence or build on each other to provide the greatest scope for meaningful accountability for victims of crimes. 

For media enquiries please email press.enquiries@doughtystreet.co.uk.